A 3-year-old girl receives a birthday gift that saves lives: a new liver and a new kidney

The world of a family was upset when he learned that a girl's life was at stake because of a rare kidney disease.

A year later, the family learned that she would be eligible for a life saving organ transplant in time to celebrate her third birthday.

When Katherin Joiner was 30 weeks pregnant, she learned that her baby, Lilah, had autosomal recessive polycystic renal failure, a rare genetic condition that causes kidney cysts to develop, resulting in loss of function. over time and the failure of other organs. After Lilah's birth, her kidney was so enlarged that it was reduced to the ability to breathe. The spread of the disease also resulted in a major risk of liver failure.

Lilah's family from Carthage, Mississippi, took her to a hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, where she was dialysed for two years.

The doctors told Lilah's family that the only solution would be to undergo a transplant of several organs in the coming months. Lilah was registered for a transplant on July 31, 2017.

"We were obviously so sorry," said Katherin Joiner at "GMA". "It was the last thing we expected to hear."

Courtesy Katherin Joiner

Lilah's doctors advised her family to ask for a donation to a person still alive because of her risk of death, telling the family that she should proceed with the operation immediately. His family decided to take him to UPMC Children's Hospital Pittsburgh for the transplant.

"In the United States, there are not enough deceased donors to help transplant patients," said George Mazariegos, pediatric transplant manager at UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh. He added that 10% of children in the country who need a liver transplant do not get it on time. "We were fortunate at the Pittsburgh Children's Hospital to make a living donation and other resources to help these children as soon as possible, but that still poses a potential risk."

Lilah's family and doctors said her courage throughout this intimidating process was a "source of inspiration."

"One of the things that struck me was that, despite what she needed to do, she was a really lovely kid," Mazariegos said. "She was trying to make the most of the situation."

Courtesy Katherin Joiner

Family and friends gather for Lilah

Lilah's strength prompted her mother's best friend's husband, Joseph Smith, to register without hesitation as a living donor.

"My wife, Anna and Lilah's mother are close friends and I immediately told my wife:" Where should I sign up and what should I do? " Smith said to "GMA". "I signed the application and a few weeks later, I received a liver test at the hospital."

Smith's wife and Lilah's mother also posted on Facebook about Lilah's surgery and the need for a kidney donor. An extended family friend, Missy Lathem, saw the job and immediately called Lilah's family, claiming that she was a match.

Courtesy Katherin Joiner

"Donors are the real heroes of this story, alongside Lilah," said Mazariegos. "Because of the way they helped and really thought about the impact for their lives."

On July 31, 2018, one year to the day she was placed on the transplant list, Lilah received two live donor transplants.

Joiner said that her daughter cried when she told him what her donors were doing for her.

"If you saw a hungry child on the streets, you would do anything to help them," Smith told "GMA". "That's what I felt for Lilah." She needed to live because there was no other cure, and there was no doubt that I had to step in and take it. give him this help. "

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It's the best birthday present that she can receive

"Best birthday present that she can receive"

Now, after the double transplant, Lilah is happy, healthy and celebrates another year of life after two difficult years.

Courtesy Katherin Joiner

"It's the best birthday present she can receive," said Joiner. "She loves life with her new kidney and her new liver and she said:" I'm so excited that I'll be able to eat pizza now! "

Lilah's mother is extremely grateful to a family friend for offering the ultimate gift to her daughter.

"There are no words to describe as a parent the risks you would run for your child to make sure he's fine," she said. "A living gift saved Lilah's life."