If anyone ever doubted the power of online social networking a story of a two-year-old battling a kidney disease who finds a donor through Facebook 'sharing' is proof enough that social networks change people's lives.
Two-year-old Arianna Moore of Pine City, Minnesota is valiantly fighting mesangial sclerosis and is in desperate need of a new kidney. Christy Harding, of Jacksonville, Florida, who doesn't know Arianna or her family, is donating a kidney to save the little girl.
It all came about through a Facebook post, according to news reports, and now it's just a matter of awaiting the surgery date and keeping both Arianna and Harding healthy.
Right now Arianna is hanging in, says her mom, and a meeting with the surgeon this week came with the warning that things can happen to throw the donor surgery off course, explains the mom's latest Facebook post:
"Arianna had clinic today she did pretty good. We met with surgeon and they all reminded us that so much can happen from now till transplant that could delay it so keep those prayers coming. It's always scary hearing the risks of the surgery. Just gotta keep remembering this gives our baby the best chance to stay with us. Just keep those prayers coming that all cross matches keep coming back good and that Aria and Christy stay healthy so they can go threw this surgery next week."
The surgery is scheduled for May 7. Harding is expected to arrive at the hospital the day before.
"I had no faith that we'd find a kidney donor on Facebook but I sure as heck was going to try," said Ashley Booth, Arianna's mom, 27, told GoodMorningAmerica.com. "It's so amazing. We haven't even met her yet. I cannot wait for next Monday. I don't know if I'll be able to let of go of her once I hug her."
Arianna was born with the kidney disease and was forced to begin dialysis at the age of seven weeks old. Her mom set up the ALL4MOORE Facebook page to see if a donor could be found. Harding, a mother of a two-year-old, caught the page and said she was compelled to help. She also has a two-year-old daughter.
