When Karen Rodas and Paul Bybkin welcomed their newborn son, Nathaniel, their joy was heartbreakingly short-lived. Just 36 hours after his birth, Nathaniel passed away due to Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), a genetic condition that causes cysts to develop in the kidneys, often leading to kidney failure. The loss was devastating for the couple.
In 2013, the couple was blessed with a baby girl, Maddy. But their happiness was overshadowed by a familiar fear—Maddy was diagnosed with the same condition that had claimed her brother’s life. Her tiny body bore the visible effects of PKD; her swollen abdomen resembled that of an 8-month pregnant woman.
Despite the bleak diagnosis, Maddy’s story took a miraculous turn. Her father, Paul, became her hero when he donated one of his kidneys, giving her a second chance at life. Before the surgery, Maddy’s days were filled with hospital visits and exhaustion, often sleeping up to 18 hours a day.
Doctors warned that Maddy’s chance at living a normal childhood hinged on finding a suitable kidney donor. Thankfully, Paul was a perfect match.
“With Paul and Maddy, two of my most precious souls, going under the knife, my nerves were a wreck,” Karen shared.
The surgery was a success, and the transformation in Maddy was remarkable. “Daddy’s kidney has saved our little girl,” Karen added. “Now, she has boundless energy. Her massive tummy is now just slightly rounded, and she’s a happy and healthy two-year-old.”
Paul, humbled by his role in saving Maddy, simply said, “Any father would have done what I did. It’s part of being a parent.”
Now, the family is filled with hope and joy, watching Maddy grow up as a vibrant, energetic little girl. While she may require another kidney transplant in about 25 years, for now, Maddy has her whole life ahead of her—filled with happiness, health, and the love of her family.
