SEATTLE – Washington state congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler says her husband has donated one of his kidneys to their daughter, Abigail, who has defied the odds since her birth over two years ago.
Herrera Beutler, who represents the 3rd District in southwest Washington, made the announcement on her Facebook page Wednesday.
“Dan really is my hero and Abigail's champion. For the past two years he has stepped out of law school in order to manage her nightly dialysis and daily medical needs. Abigail appears to be perfectly positioned to receive this kidney, which we believe will last her for a very long time,” said Herrera Beutler.
Abigail was diagnosed with Potter’s Syndrome when she was still in the womb. Herrera Beutler said the condition caused a complete absence of amniotic fluid, critical for lung development. Doctors said she would be unable to breathe and would live only moments after birth.
She was born in July 2013 – 28 weeks into the pregnancy, weighing 2 pounds 12 ounces.
Although doctors were able to treat the Potter’s Syndrome, Abigail’s kidneys did not function properly and Herrera Beutler said her family was told dialysis or a transplant was not an option. But thanks to a procedure at John’s Hopkins, they were able to keep Abigail alive until she could accept a new kidney.
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