Meet Our Champions

Marina is one of only 25,000 children born with Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease (ARPKD), a rare, life-threatening genetic condition. Born prematurely at 34 weeks at Texas Children’s Hospital, her chances of survival were slim. She spent her first seven months in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) before transferring to the transplant floor, where her parents learned to perform peritoneal dialysis at home. By age three, Marina had already endured more than half her life in the hospital, multiple surgeries including removal of both kidneys, dialysis, and a stroke. At the age of three, she received a life-saving kidney transplant from her father. Though it wasn’t a cure, it gave her a fighting chance. Now eight, Marina has undergone more than 25 surgeries and years of therapy to support her development. She is now in the fifth grade, continuing her journey with courage, strength, and the unwavering support of her Texas Children’s Hospital team.