Melina Sofia Lynn De La Lastra

Our typically healthy 12-year-old daughter, Sofia, was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure in October of 2025. The strength and perseverance our daughter has shown has no comparison. After what we thought was a summer cold, her health rapidly declined. Her pediatrician ordered some tests and called us two days later, telling us to immediately go to our local children’s hospital, CHKD. She was admitted to the PICU and went through a multitude of tests and procedures. Ultimately, it was determined that she was in kidney failure. She has gone through multiple hospitalizations over the months due to complications from her kidney disease. She experienced multiple seizures due to high blood pressure and was also diagnosed with PRES. She currently is receiving dialysis treatments 7 days a week at home. She was diagnosed with two autoimmune conditions that caused the kidney failure. These are not hereditary and can be triggered by something as simple as a common cold. She has ANCA Vasculitis and Anti-GBM (Goodpasture Disease). She loves animals and most recently got a new puppy through Make A Wish. She also dreams of one day owning her own nail salon. She misses Dr. Pepper, Raising Cane’s and most treats kids her age like due to the restrictions with her renal diet.