Mothers Advocate for Organ and Stem Cell Donations

Katie O'Neil donated her kidney to her 2-year-old daughter Kenzlyn, who was diagnosed with Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome, following a year of dialysis. Kenzlyn is now thriving post-surgery, although her mother acknowledges that the new kidney may not last indefinitely. In Northampton, June Hoey, who has battled cancer for 12 years, is appealing for more people to join the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry to help her find a match for a stem cell transplant needed to treat her lymphoma. Hiliary Pecenka from Bettendorf is advocating for organ donation while she waits for a kidney transplant after entering renal failure in April 2023. Lastly, Kayla St. Pierre, who received her first kidney transplant at 13, is now in need of a second transplant after years of dialysis due to kidney damage from bacterial meningitis. Each of these women highlights the critical need for organ and stem cell donations in their personal health battles.