Two-year-old Cole is fighting for his life as he battles end-stage liver disease, with his parents anxiously waiting for a donor to save him. Born with health complications, Cole was diagnosed at just two months old with biliary atresia, a rare liver disease that prevents bile from draining properly, causing severe damage. His condition led to multiple doctor visits, surgeries, and a procedure to reroute his small intestine to help drain bile from his liver.
Despite his illness, Cole remains a happy toddler, loving trucks, his sister Bindy, and Quick Trip like any Wisconsinite. However, his health took a turn for the worse when an infection landed him back at Children’s Wisconsin, where complications led to end-stage liver disease. A blood clot in his portal vein has further worsened his condition, making a full liver transplant his only chance for survival. Because of the severity of his condition, a live donor is not an option.
Cole is now among more than 2,100 children on the national transplant list. His parents, Kyle Derberger and Ashley Voss, have spent more than a month at his bedside, waiting for the call that could change their son’s future. The waiting has been the hardest part, knowing that only a donor can save him.
The staff at Children’s Wisconsin and community support have provided strength, but Cole’s family wants to raise awareness about the life-saving impact of organ donation. They emphasize that the choice to become a donor can save multiple lives, including children like Cole, whose survival depends entirely on the generosity of others.
