Helping Zariyah Heal

Before Zariyah was born, her mom, LaShawn, learned through imaging that her baby's kidneys were damaged. In Zariyah's first years of life, she needed a gastronomy feeding tube (G-tube) for nutrition. At 3, Zariyah had kidney transplant surgery. A beloved cousin donated the organ. The surgery was initially a success, but Zariyah was back in the hospital a few months later.

"It was very hard," says LaShawn, with ongoing care, including once-a-month hospitalizations for several months, Zariyah recovered and went home to her family. Today, Zariyah is thriving. She is in second grade and loves being a majorette.