The Transplant Division of Rady Children's Hospital and Health Center of San Diego held it's 7th annual holiday celebration for liver and kidney transplant patients and their families. The hospital said the celebration is a way of brightening their spirits and bringing much needed holiday joy into their lives during the holiday season.
Diana Herrera was part of the celebration. The 11-year-old was a kidney recipient earlier this year and was happy to be a part of the celebration.
"I get a little bit tired when I run though," she said.
More than 100-young patients and their families celebrated a new lease on life for these children, who have overcome the odds and become tremendous fighters.
"Kids don't grow very well when they have kidney failure, they have anemia. They have low red blood cell count. But it's very silent and a lot of people don't realize they have it until the very end." said Dr. Nadine Benador of Rady Children's Hospital.
Rady Children's Hospital has 70 children who have received transplants. Another 22 are on dialysis, waiting for a kidney
