Jude at the WellChild Awards in 2024
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00:0014-year-old Jude loves musical theatre, singing, darts, and playing computer games with his
00:13friends. Jude is also a massive football fan. Jude has been in and out of hospital his whole
00:19life. His diagnosis meant that he was unable to eat or digest any food or fluid, which
00:25led to multiple health problems, including episodes of sepsis and issues with his blood
00:31sugar. Jude spent 875 days on the transplant list, but in June 2018, at the age of 8, received
00:40his multiple visceral transplant. This included the small bowel, large bowel, stomach, liver,
00:48and pancreas. After several medical complications, including a bowel obstruction, Jude had his
00:55second multiple visceral transplant in 2023, again his small and large bowel, stomach, liver,
01:03and pancreas. Jude doesn't know what it's like to be well, but he never complains. Approaching
01:10every medical intervention with bravery and courage, he lets nothing get in his way and
01:16will always try to find ways to join in with his friends. He's such a delight, he's such a resilient
01:21young boy, and no matter what, he always gets up and goes again. He does, he never complains.
01:28Jude lives for football and will play with his friends whenever he can. Despite having two stomas
01:34and carrying a backpack containing IV fluids and nutrition, Jude hasn't been able to play football
01:41since his second transplant, but is desperate to get well enough to go back to school and join his
01:46friends again. When he is unable to get outside, Jude loves to connect with his friends by gaming.
01:53Playing computer games virtually with his friends enables him to stay in touch with them while doing
01:57something fun and accessible. Often referred to as Jude the Dude, he is described as inspirational,
02:05kind, loving, brave, and courageous. His friends and family desperately want him to know that
02:12everyone thinks he is absolutely incredible. Jude is a worthy WellChild award winner.
02:18Congratulations! Keep being you Jude, funny, courageous, with that determination and spirit that we all love.