'She wants her life back' - south Essex mum renews daughter's kidney donor plea
Plea - Maya Solecki, 15, is in desperate need of a new kidney (Image: Maria Solecki)
THE mum of a Benfleet teenager in desperate need of a new kidney has renewed her plea for potential donors after a match was disqualified 'at the last minute'.
Maria Solecki is appealing for healthy residents under 55 to come forward if they would be willing to be tested for compatibility with her 15-year-old daughter Maya.
Following a previous Echo story in March, more than 20 residents volunteered to be potential kidney donors. Sadly, none were a match for Maya.
'It's tough and it's debilitating,' said Maria.
Support - A huge number of residents came forward following Maria's appeal in March (Image: Maria Solecki) 'We found out while we were in hospital last week that the person we thought was an excellent match donor actually had an undiscovered illness which disqualified them at the last minute.
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'She took it really hard because she'd had that taste of hope and could see the finish line.'
Maya was a healthy and active teenager before receiving a sudden diagnosis of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome in January 2024 - the rare disorder damages blood vessels and causes serious harm to patients' vital organs, including the kidneys.
Exhausting - Rounds of dialysis are taking their toll on Maya (Image: Maria Solecki)In the wake of the Echo's previous story earlier this year, Maya's doctors reportedly said they had never seen so much interest from the public.
The year 11 pupil is currently in the midst of her GCSEs, and is fitting in rounds of dialysis around her mock exams - something her mum describes as taking a huge toll on the determined teen.
'She just so desperately wants to get back to living a normal life,' said Maria.
Close - Maria has been overwhelmed by the support for her daughter (Image: Maria Solecki)
'Her actual exams start next week and even though she missed most of year ten she is managing to sit five GCSEs and has worked so hard to keep up with her education.
'Dialysis is not forever, it's hard on the body and takes time off your actual lifespan.'
As part of her plea for potential and willing donors, Maria has stressed even if someone is not a match for her daughter, they could still be a life-saver for someone else.
'As of April, there's 145 children on the kidney wait list and a donor could be a match for anyone of those patients,' she said.
If you are interested in donating to Maya, and are healthy, under 55,with a BMI under 30, email anita.copley@gstt.nhs.uk.
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