A young Midlands woman needs a new kidney transplant and it turns out Marquita Priester didn't have to look too far to find one. Now her family is praying for a miracle and someone close is answering their prayers.
Nearly three years ago while in college Marquita started experiencing throbbing pains. When she went to the doctor she got devastating news.
"Normal kidney function is 100% in both. My overall function was only at the time was 19%," says Priester. A percentage that classifies as kidney failure. But Marquita beat the odds. She graduated and currently works for the navy. Now, Her kidneys have started rapidly deteriorating. Doctors say she has to have a transplant.
It's an operation nearly 80-thousand people are hoping and waiting for. An operation Priester is lucky enough to get; but like the nearly 10-thousand other people who've had a kidney transplant in the past year, Priester won't end up in the operating room at the expense of someone else's life. Her new kidney is coming from someone she's been close to and loved her entire life.
"I thought it'd be best to do that instead of waiting to see what would happen," says Marquita's brother William Priester. He's giving a donation that will help them forever share a special bond. Marquita says, "I can't even imagine, throughout this process I've met people whose family wouldn't get tested. So to know my brother is risking so much, his life. It's really beautiful and humbling."
Marquita's surgery is Wednesday morning; but her expenses won't end in the operating room. In fact... It's just the beginning of a long list of medical bills and prescriptions. But you can help donate.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWACH