MEET COOPER

2025 CMN Champion

Hometown: Ankeny, IA

Diagnosis: Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease (ARPKD)

Cooper was born with a severe form of Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease (ARPKD), which was detected at 32 weeks gestation. His parents were immediately referred to University of Iowa Health Care (UIHC) Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

Upon birth, Cooper’s kidneys were the size of an adult’s and caused severe lung issues. With the support of the NICU team and the high-level oscillator ventilator, available only at UIHC Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Cooper survived the initial challenges. At just one day old, Cooper underwent surgery to have a dialysis catheter placed and began treatments right away.

Cooper spent a total of 15 months in the hospital, including 4 months in the NICU, 4 months in the PICU, and another 7 months on Level 10, undergoing numerous surgeries and procedures such as a tracheostomy, double nephrectomy, and kidney transplant at 14 months old.

After 456 days in the hospital, Cooper finally went home with his new kidney on March 11, 2022. He continues regular visits to UIHC Stead Family Children’s Hospital to monitor his kidney and is working with the ENT team to potentially remove his trach in the near future. The family is incredibly grateful for the ongoing support and care from the remarkable staff at UIHC Stead Family Children’s Hospital.