WESTFORD -- Mark Nugent loves life, even though the 11-year-old has spent much of his in hospitals.
Born with only one functioning kidney from a rare genetic disorder known as Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, Mark's future now depends on finding a donor.
Tomorrow, his parents Chris and Emily Kane, will hold a fundraiser to support Mark on his journey for a transplant.
"There's no limitations to what he can do when he's feeling good," said mom, Emily. "But for the past few months, things have been much harder for him."
Despite his illness, Mark has lived a happy and active life, just like any other kid. He plays soccer and baseball on the Boxboro Miracle League, and looks forward to seeing his friends at school.
But in December, his kidney shut down and for the past three months he's been on a dialysis regimen -- three- to four-hour sessions each week.
Emily gives daily updates on her blog, "Mark's Our Boy."
Yesterday she wrote, "I just want him to feel better...When we arrived at treatment he was ready to go. He had a dance party with everyone in the unit. Music blasting and Mark wiggling in his bed busting a move. Things changed real quick. He spiked a fever during treatment and went down hill."
The family takes each day as it comes, and hope they'll find a donor match soon. The Internet has helped. Once Mark's story spread on Facebook, Emily received hundreds of messages wishing her son well.
Some people stepped forward and


offered a kidney. On Monday, eight blood samples were left with doctors that match Mark's blood type, O positive. His parents pray one will be the perfect match.A live kidney can buy Mark another 10 to 18 years of time in the sun, on the baseball field and in the company of friends and family who love him.
Emily has already signed him up for another season of his beloved baseball. Last year, the team received a special trip to Fenway, where they watched the Red Sox practice on the field before the game.
"He loved every minute of it," she said. "He has so much enthusiasm for life. He's the type of kid that leaves an impression on everyone he meets."
Since Mark's treatments began in December, Emily has had to stay home full-time to care for him. Tomorrow's benefit will help the family with expenses, but also help their donor when they're lucky enough to find one, she said.
"The person stepping forward to do this for our family will end up missing two to three weeks of work," she said. "We're hoping to cover some of their loss."
If the family doesn't find a match this time, Emily said they'll keep trying until they do.
"All he talks about is going back to school," she said. "We want to see Mark be Mark again, full of energy, laughing and smiling."
Tomorrow's benefit for Mark Nugent is from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Franco American Club in Westford. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Admission includes appetizers, DJ, cash bar and the opportunity to enter a variety of raffles.
For more information or to make a donation, emailMarksOurBoy@yahoo.com.

***Just as a little side note....I wanted to let everyone know Chris and I are not hosting the event for Mark.  The Host's of the event is an amazing group of friends that we have!