When 14-year-old Joana’s life was turned upside down by end-stage renal failure, her mother, Marina, stepped forward without hesitation. In 2013, Marina donated a kidney to her daughter, sparking nine years of thriving life for Joana despite initial challenges and rejection scares. When Joana’s health declined again in 2022, the family’s resilience was once again tested. After enduring dialysis and open-heart surgery, Joana received a second kidney transplant in 2024, this time from her aunt.
Throughout their journey, Marina and Joana realized the importance of family and community support. Together, they founded a nonprofit dedicated to educating and supporting families in their local area who are impacted by kidney disease.