Alyssa Peña was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease over ten years ago and desperately needed a kidney. Two years ago in Ingleside, she received her life-saving miracle. But who was her savior?
Kaidence Contreras, a 15-year-old sophomore from Ingleside High School, tragically died in a car crash. She was an organ donor, and her kidney perfectly fit Peña.
At the time of the accident, Peña was 20 and had attended Ingleside High School a few years earlier.
Peña remembers the whirlwind of feelings when she learned she would receive the crucial transplant.
“I was thrilled about receiving a new kidney, but given the circumstances of its origin, it wasn’t easy to rejoice. It felt deeply bittersweet,” Peña expressed.
The situation was especially poignant for Peña, as their lives were intertwined. Peña interacted daily with Contreras’s cousins at school and shared a close friendship with them.
“My sister once shared a class with Contreras. I often think about how our paths almost intertwined, and it was just a matter of time before they did,” Peña reflected.
Tears welled up in Peña’s eyes as she expressed her deep gratitude.
“How can you possibly thank someone who gave you the precious gift of life?” She will never forget Contreras’s ultimate act of generosity that saved her.
While many people don’t receive a second shot at life, Peña, two years post-transplant, needs a third chance.
“Just over a year later, my kidney began to reject, damaging it to the extent that I now need another transplant,” shared Peña.
Peña has returned to dialysis, a procedure that purifies the blood when the kidneys can’t.
Peña continues to work and attend school, exemplifying her resilience and determination.
“On days when I’m not on dialysis, I’m either at work or attending classes for my Phlebotomy certification,” she said.
Despite her body rejecting the transplanted kidney, Peña’s faith remains unshaken.
“The emotions have been overwhelming, and I’m still grappling with them. But I hold onto my faith, believing He will guide me through every step,” Peña expressed.