MESA, Ariz. — Cristina Cataldo hopes to be alive for Christmas and get a miracle—a new kidney.
The 28-year-old was hospitalized for her birthday in November. She also missed spending Thanksgiving with her family after suffering a seizure, one of many that have become a part of her daily life.
“My body works so hard that it triggers seizures,” Cataldo told 12News. “Sometimes at dialysis, they’ll call my family, ‘Hey she had a seizure’ or I’m at home and I have a seizure. It’s hard.”
Life dealt her a bad hand.
For the last 10 years, Cataldo has been in and out of the hospital, battling kidney failure. The condition was an effect of other health problems she has; lupus, high blood pressure, and anemia.
The health battle began when she was 18 years old. It was picture day, her senior year of high school.
Cataldo woke up with back pain and swollen ankles, so her father took her to the hospital.
“They told him, ‘She needs to be on hemodialysis right away because, well her lungs are full of fluid and her kidneys are just gone, they’re damaged’,” Cataldo said.
Since then, Cataldo has been getting dialysis three times a week. Her health fluctuates, sometimes forcing her to be hospitalized. A sight that is hard to see for her father.
“I feel terrible, helpless,” Francisco Ledesma said. “Not able to do anything, not being able to help her.”
Cataldo has adapted to her life and learned to live with her condition. She tried to make the best of her situation and even met the love of her life.
“We got married,” she said. “But he ended up dying a year ago.”
On top of her heartbreak, Cataldo has gotten sicker. She had to be intubated during a recent hospitalization.
“I was on life support because I was really sick, and they didn’t know if I was going to make it,” Cataldo said fighting back tears.
Thankfully she survived but her condition worsens by the day. That’s why this Christmas, her biggest wish is to get a kidney transplant “and get a new life.”
“It would be like a second chance at life,” Cataldo said. “I always pray to God I get a kidney transplant and I can get my life back. I feel like I can be myself again, I can work, go to school, do something with my life.”
Cataldo is a DACA recipient, she doesn’t qualify to be on the transplant list, and none of her family members were a match.
“I’m hoping I’ll match with someone, and it’ll be amazing,” Cataldo said. “My family helps me a lot and I wish I could help them. I know one day I will.”
She had to stop working because of the seizures and couldn’t go to college. That’s something she would love to be able to do.
“It would be great if she had a transplant,” the father said. “A joy for us, we wouldn’t be suffering.”
As they pray for someone to give Cataldo the gift of life, they are fundraising to help cover medications and medical bills.
“I pray, just to be able to be there for my family,” Cataldo said. “That’s my Christmas wish.”
Anyone interested in donating a kidney to Cataldo can reach out to her via GoFundMe.