Family searching for liver donor to save son’s life after being diagnosed with rare genetic disorder

SOUTHAMPTON, Va. (WWBT/Gray News) - A family in Virginia needs help finding a perfect match for their 1-year-old son, who needs a liver transplant.

On June 13, Rhett Powell turned 1, a special milestone he celebrated with his family by his side.

“He is the happiest little boy I’ve ever met,” said Rhett’s mother, Jenna. “He loves music, he loves to smile and laugh. He thinks his dad is the funniest person in the whole world, and there’s just a light in his eyes, and he’s a real people person.”

For his birthday, Jenna hopes to give her son a life-saving gift.

“You wouldn’t guess that he’s as sick as he is because he’s just so happy most of the time,” she said.

Two months after Rhett was born, he was diagnosed with Alagille Syndrome.

“It’s a rare genetic disorder. It wasn’t inherited from my husband or I,” she said. “It was a random mutation and it affects multiple organ systems, but his liver is primarily affected.”

The toddler needs a liver transplant and is searching for a donor.

Jenna is turning to social media and putting up flyers in stores to find her son’s perfect match.

“The more people that we can reach, the better odds of finding his perfect match because he’s 15 pounds and 6 ounces,” she said. “He’s really small, so that probably means his liver arteries are really small and they would have to align.”

The family is searching for a donor in good health who has a B or O, positive or negative, blood type.

“I would be forever grateful if they would even try to figure out if they were a perfect match,” said Jenna Powell.

Jenna hopes someone can step up and help.

“I know that’s a lot to ask from someone that’s a complete stranger, but I would hope the fact that my baby didn’t do anything in this world to deserve what he’s going through would sway somebody’s mind,” she said.

A moment that would mean the world to the family.

“My son’s life does depend on that happening and I think that he’s meant to change the world around him,” she said.

If you think you can help, you can reach out to Jenna Powell by calling (757)-556-5182.

There’s also a Facebook page dedicated to helping Rhett Powell finding a liver, which you can find by clicking here.