💕 A Father’s Gift of Life: How One Dad Saved His Daughter from the Same Illness That Took Her Brother

For most parents, the greatest wish in life is simple: to see their children grow up healthy and happy. For Karen Rodas and Paul Bybkin, this dream was nearly shattered—twice.

When the couple welcomed their son, Nathaniel, into the world, their joy was indescribable. But their happiness was tragically short-lived. Just 36 hours after birth, little Nathaniel passed away due to Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)—a rare genetic condition that causes cysts to form in the kidneys and often leads to kidney failure.

The couple was devastated.

In 2013, Karen and Paul were blessed with another child, a daughter named Maddy. But their joy quickly turned to heartbreak again when doctors confirmed that Maddy was born with the same condition as her late brother.

Her tiny belly was so swollen, it resembled that of a woman nine months pregnant. Maddy spent most of her early life in and out of hospitals, often sleeping up to 18 hours a day due to extreme fatigue caused by her failing kidneys.

Doctors informed the family that Maddy’s only hope for a normal life was a kidney transplant—and that finding a suitable donor was critical.

As fate would have it, her father 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 recalled in an interview with The Mirror.

The surgery was a complete success. Paul and Maddy both recovered beautifully, and the transformation in Maddy was nothing short of miraculous.

“Daddy’s kidney has saved our little girl,” Karen said. “Now, she has boundless energy. Her massive tummy is gone—just a little rounded now—and she’s a happy, healthy two-year-old.”

Paul, ever the humble father, insisted he simply did what any parent would do.

“We’ve been on a rollercoaster,” he shared. “But any father would do what I did. Donating my kidney to Maddy—it’s just part of being a parent.”

Today, Maddy is thriving. While she may need another transplant in about 25 years, for now, she has her whole life ahead of her—full of laughter, play, and possibility.

“Now we’re on a high,” Paul said. “And we get to watch our daughter grow up as the vibrant little girl she was meant to be.”

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We're so overjoyed for this beautiful family and the second chance at life they’ve been given. 💛

Share this heartwarming story with your loved ones to celebrate the power of a parent’s love—and to remind others of the miracles that can happen when hope and family come together.