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Kristi's Kids get second chance at life

Posted: May 7, 2012 10:00 PM
Updated: May 7, 2012 10:51 PM


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TUCSON -- For years we've been telling you about Kristi's Kids who get a second chance. Tucson's Pink Ninja, Addie Rerecich, would have died without a double lung transplant.

She wouldn't be here today if it weren't for a complete stranger who chose to be an organ donor.

Another one of Kristi's Kids, Isaiah Hernandez is waiting for a kidney transplant. Kristi's Kids learned Monday afternoon a living donor was found and is a positive match. If all goes as planned Isaiah will have his transplant this month.

"He needs a transplant, a kidney transplant in order to be able to be a normal, grow normally," says his mom Terry Hernandez.

When Isaiah was 7 days old he was diagnosed with end stage kidney failure.
He spends most of his time, in and out of the hospital

"He's anemic so he has to take shots to keep his red blood cells producing more."

If Isaiah gets a kidney soon he may avoid dialysis and grow up healthy.
Every time the phone rings, his mom gets tense.

"Knowing and waiting. Time is closing in already," she says. "Is going to happen or is it not going to happen?" With the confirmation Monday it looks like the waiting may be over.

Tucson's Pink Ninja got new lungs in September of last year and she is so grateful.

Dr. Yuvall Raz her Pulmonologist says Addie is living proof that people need to think ahead. It's the only way the program can work.

"They don't stop to think that an 11 year-old girl right now will get to graduate from high school where she would have died in the hospital otherwise," Dr. Raz explains.

He adds that one donor can impact many lives.

"The average donor can donate kidneys. They can give the gift of sight with corneas. They can help burn victims with skin. They help replace peoples shattered bones. They can help with their hearts and kidneys."

It is not enough to go online and register or check the box on your driver's license. Your family needs to know your wishes. If there's doubt and a family member objects... your organs will not be donated.

It all worked perfectly for Addie. She has this message for her donor family.

"Well they really cared about other people even though they lost a family member. They decided to help others," says Addie.

In arizona more than 2,000 people are waiting for an organ and more than 1.9 million Arizonans are already registered to be a donor.

If you'd like to learn more click here for the Donor Network of Arizona.

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