It’s been a rough two months for AJ Burgess, but more good news came Friday.
The 2-year-old's scheduled Oct. 3 kidney transplant was stalled after father Anthony Dickerson's arrest, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported.
Dickerson was a perfect match, but Emory University Hospital officials delayed the surgery until Dickerson could provide evidence he had complied with his parole officer for three months.
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The news sparked a media frenzy and outrage, leading to a protest and improved communication between the hospital and the parents.
After trips to the hospital and dialysis surgery, the Gwinnett County toddler finally received a kidney from a deceased donor Nov. 22.
Now he’s home and recovering.
Attorneys said AJ was released from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston after a successful surgery.
“This family has fought hard and Baby AJ has fought even harder to see this day,” family attorney Mawuli Davis said in a statement. “The family thanks the community for supporting them and praying for their son. ... They ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers as Baby AJ continues to recover.”
The family also thanked the CHOA staff for their commitment to helping the child.
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