Jakob Perez, from Michigan, has an extremely rare genetic disorder that stops his body from absorbing food properly. The condition — microvillus inclusion disease (MVID) — affects fewer than 100 people worldwide. Because of the disorder, Jakob has to be administered crucial nutrients through an IV and was in need of a new stomach, large intestine, small intestine, liver and pancreas. He and his family had been waiting nearly 9 years for a donor, who had to be a little boy of about the same size and age. Finally, the worst day for one family became Jakob’s best day. Doctors called and told the Perez family that Jakob would be receiving all 5 transplants from one donor. Jakob still has a long road of recovery ahead of him — 2 months in the hospital and a 3-month stay at a rehab facility for follow-up care, but the young boy and his family say that’s nothing compared to the 9 years of anguish he has already endured.
