This past Christmas, Gabriella Falzarine’s little sister told YNN.com she hoped people would pray for Gabriella to get a new kidney after both of hers failed. Now, that prayer has been answered for the young girl from Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
At her 13th birthday party, Gabriella was finally able to announce that the Bronx, N.Y., Children's Hospital at Montefiore had found a donor, MyFoxNewYork reports.
“I just want to say thank you, for helping me in the past and helping now.” Gabriella, whose transplant date is set for May 29, announced at her party.
As if that news wasn’t thrilling enough, Falzarine received another sweet birthday surprise.
So many people were touched by her story when Fox initially aired it in February that even Snooki from the cast of “Jersey Shore” -- who is originally from the area -- heard about her story. The reality TV star stopped by unexpectedly to wish the young girl good luck with her transplant, the news outlet reports.
The family’s journey to find Gabriella a kidney was a long one.
Her mother, Dianne Falzarine, had donated one of her own kidneys. A year after the transplant, that kidney stopped working as well, YNN reports.
Throughout the process, the family has had to travel three hours round trip to the Children's Hospital at Montefiore in Bronx, N.Y., three days a week to receive treatment, YNN reports.
The Falzarines say they still have a long road ahead of them and thousands of dollars in medical expenses, MyFoxNewYork reports.
There’s a way you can help. The family accepts donations through an official fund.
Gabriella Falzarine Fund
Attention: Carol
TD Bank
1850 South Road
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
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Posted: 05/16/2012 3:48 pm Updated: 05/16/2012 4:22 pm