CLEVELAND — You’d never guess by watching 2-year-old Amari Knight that he has spent a lot of his life in and out of hospitals.

His mom said he's as active as any average toddler.

“A week before his first birthday, Amari had gotten RSV,” Melissa Knight said.

Amari was admitted to the hospital and placed on a ventilator after he showed additional symptoms, including high blood pressure.

“Doctors said everything was pointing to kidney failure,” Melissa said.

Amari has polycystic kid disease and needs a kidney transplant.

“It was the beginning of a long journey,” Melissa said.

Amari spent nine weeks in the hospital and had multiple surgeries, including a G-tube for feedings.

“He’s fed through a feeding tube," Melissa said. "He drinks liquids but doesn’t eat solids."

Because he’s high-risk, Amari ends up in the hospital when he gets sick, and with that comes expenses.

Transplant-related costs can range from $100,000 to $800,000 according to Montana Banner, a volunteer for the Children’s Organ Transplant Association or COTA.

The organization helps raise funds through events and social media for families with kids in need of transplants including bone marrow, stem cell and sickle cell disease.

Money raised is used for transplant-related expenses for the family. It covers medical costs but also things like travel related to transplant needs.

The organization is hoping to raise $45,000 for Amari.

Amari received nightly at-home dialysis. Melissa keeps a detailed chart of Amari’s vitals and results from dialysis.

Since he’s fed through a G-tube, she also makes his formula. He’s fed twice a day and throughout the night via a feeding machine.

The hope is for Amari to be matched with a living donor between the ages of 25 to 45.

Melissa said she takes things one day at a time.

“It’s important to be on top of things for him as well as my other child because being a mother never stops,” she said.

Donations can be made at https://cota.org/cotaforamarisjourney/.