Baby AJ celebrates first birthday with new kidney

ATLANTA - Baby AJ reached a major milestone today, as he celebrated his first birthday with a new kidney. 

The toddler turned 3 this week, but last year there was community outrage after the Emory Transplant Center would not allow his father to donate a kidney to his young son due to a probation violation. 

They eventually reversed that decision, but Baby AJ ultimately got a transplant from a different donor. 

Relatives and friends surrounded the toddler on Sunday during the birthday party, giving baby AJ and his family the chance to celebrate his progress so far. 

Baby AJ officially turned 3 on Monday, marking his first birthday with a kidney as he was born without the vital organ. 

Baby AJ's mother Carmellia Burgess told FOX 5's Claire Simms, "I never thought he'll be looking at this day, but his first birthday with a kidney so we're blessed."