VALHALLA, WESTCHESTER COUNTY (WABC) — It was a heartwarming reunion for a toddler, her mother and family as they returned to Westchester County Hospital on Friday. There, the girl received a rare, life-saving kidney transplant.
Hadley Frusciante, 21 months old, was born with a congenital disease that prevents her kidneys from developing properly.
At nine months old, Hadley was admitted to Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, where she underwent months of dialysis and eventually had both kidneys removed.
Hadley's mother, Lindsay Frusciante, said, “After being in the hospital for over a year, it was so nice to have that moment where I said, 'Today I can go home!'”
That moment came a few weeks ago.
Hadley received a kidney transplant in August, which is highly unusual for a one-year-old child.
Her aunt was ready to donate a kidney, but wasn't the right blood type.
Instead, she donated to the National Kidney Registry, and Hadley ultimately received an organ from a living donor.
“I wanted to help her and see her go home and live a normal life instead of in the hospital,” Kayla Mercado said. “But I could help her, but I needed to.”
To give you an idea of how rare this is, of the 27,000 kidney transplants performed nationwide last year, only 188 went to children under the age of five.
This year, there have been just five in New York state.
“When you have a child this young, the biggest thing we have to worry about is the child's small size,” said Dr. Greg Veillette. “That's always the biggest factor.”
Hadley is now back with her family at her home in Mohegan Lake.
Friday's visit to the hospital was just a visit, an opportunity to say 'thank you'. ”
“From the housekeeping to the kitchen to the nurses to the doctors, they all just embraced her and our family,” Lindsey said. “And they were really great.”
“No matter what (Hadley) is going through, she's always happy,” pediatric nurse Joy Buda said. “And to be able to see her today is like mission accomplished. So we're very happy.”
Indeed, it is a very happy occasion for a toddler who has achieved the miracle of walking.
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