PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — In a touching video, a Florida woman surprises her stepmother with the news that she's a match and will be able to donate a kidney to her.
"I am approved to donate my kidney!"
That's what Bianca Presti, 25, wrote in a card she left for her stepmother Marla Presti.
Marla helped raise her stepchildren since they were all little.
"I don't consider any of my stepkids, my stepdaughters," Marla said. "To me — they're just my kids."
Marla has been on dialysis for three years. Her kidneys got so bad that they were removed two weeks ago to prepare for a transplant.
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Marla has to undergo dialysis Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays until she can get a transplant.
"We aren’t blood related, but it really is a miracle that we match," said Bianca.
The 25-year-old said she didn't think twice about donating a kidney when she found out she and Marla were a match.
Bianca said they both have a rare blood type, so the match truly is special.
Marla was very emotional speaking about her stepdaughter's gift of life donation.
"She didn’t even second guess it and she was a match."
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The pair have raised thousands of dollars through crowdfunding to help pay for expenses associated with the cost and recovery of the procedure.
"Even though we have insurance, there’s still co-pays and loss time of work, and unfortunately those things don’t pay you money out of work," said Bianca.
The pair hope their story can serve as a reminder that family isn't just blood.
"I can't love them anymore than I love my own child," said Marla.
