New Jersey Dad Donates Kidney to Save His Baby Girl’s Life

When Karen Rodas and Paul Rybkin welcomed their son Nathaniel into the world, they only had 36 heartbreaking hours with him. He was born with a rare genetic condition called Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) — a disorder that causes cysts to form in the kidneys, often leading to kidney failure.

Years later, in 2013, the New Jersey couple had a daughter named Maddy — and she was diagnosed with the same condition.

For the first 18 months of her life, Maddy was in and out of hospitals. Her belly was severely swollen, and she needed oxygen and feeding tubes. Despite the constant medical care, she held on — until her condition suddenly took a turn for the worse.

“She was exhausted all the time,” said her mom. “She’d sleep up to 18 hours a day and couldn’t stop vomiting.”

Doctors warned that unless Maddy received a kidney transplant soon, she might not survive.

A Father’s Gift

Her father, Paul, was tested — and turned out to be a match. Without hesitation, he stepped up to donate one of his kidneys to save his daughter’s life.

“With Paul and Maddy, two of my most precious souls, both in surgery at the same time, I was a wreck,” Karen recalled.

The operation was a success. Both father and daughter recovered well, and Maddy’s transformation was nothing short of remarkable.

“Daddy’s kidney saved our little girl,” Karen said. “She now has so much energy. Her swollen belly is almost completely gone, and she’s a happy, healthy two-year-old.”

A Modest Hero

Despite his life-saving act, Paul remained humble.

“We’ve been through an emotional rollercoaster,” he said. “But any father would do what I did. Donating my kidney to Maddy was just part of being a parent.”

Today, Maddy is thriving. She’ll likely need another transplant in about 25 years, but for now, her parents are simply enjoying each moment with their energetic, joyful little girl.

“After everything we’ve been through, this feels like a lifetime away,” they said.

You can follow Maddy’s continued journey here, where Karen regularly shares updates on her daughter’s health and progress. As of 2023, she’s doing well — a living reminder of the power of love, hope, and a father’s sacrifice.