Karen Rodas and Paul Rybkin’s journey with their children has been filled with both heartache and hope. Their first child, Nathaniel, tragically passed away just 36 hours after birth due to Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), a rare condition that causes cysts to grow in the kidneys, leading to kidney failure. In 2013, the couple had a second child, Maddy, who also developed PKD. Maddy’s condition caused her stomach to swell, and she spent the first 18 months of her life in and out of hospitals, undergoing various treatments. As her health worsened, her energy drained, and doctors feared she wouldn’t survive unless a suitable kidney donor was found.

Fortunately, Maddy’s father, Paul, was identified as a match and underwent a life-saving kidney transplant to save his daughter. The operation was successful, and Maddy’s health dramatically improved, with her energy levels soaring. Paul, though modest about his role, emphasized that donating a kidney to his daughter was simply what any parent would do. Today, Maddy is a happy and healthy two-year-old, though she will need another kidney transplant in about 25 years. Her parents are filled with gratitude as they watch her grow, with Maddy’s mother continuing to share her daughter’s journey and celebrate her progress.