When Karen Rodas and Paul Rybkin welcomed their son Nathaniel into the world, his life was heartbreakingly short—just 36 hours. He had been born with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), a rare genetic condition that causes cysts to grow in the kidneys, often leading to kidney failure.

Years later, in 2013, the New Jersey couple had a daughter, Maddy. Tragically, she was born with the same condition.

For the first 18 months of her life, Maddy was in and out of the hospital. Her condition caused her stomach to swell, and she required constant care, including oxygen treatments and feeding tubes. Despite it all, she held on—until her health began to sharply decline.

Maddy became lethargic, sleeping up to 18 hours a day and frequently vomiting. According to The Mirror, doctors feared she wouldn’t survive without a kidney transplant.

Thankfully, her father Paul was identified as a compatible donor.

“With Paul and Maddy—two of my most precious souls—going under the knife, my nerves were a wreck,” Karen said.

The transplant surgery was a success. Maddy began to regain her strength, and her transformation was remarkable.

“Daddy’s kidney saved our little girl,” Karen said. “Now she has boundless energy. Her once-swollen belly is just a little rounded, and she’s a happy, healthy two-year-old.”

Paul downplayed his heroic act, saying, “We’ve been on a rollercoaster, but any father would have done what I did. It’s just part of being a parent. Now we’re riding a high and watching Maddy grow up strong and full of life.”

Although Maddy will eventually need another transplant in about 25 years, her parents say that feels like “a lifetime away.”

Karen continues to share updates about Maddy’s journey online, and it’s heartwarming to see how far she’s come.

We’re so happy something could be done—and we’re sending love to this amazing little girl and her brave dad.