Nationwide — Shannon Randleston, a 38-year-old African American mom from Vicksburg, Mississippi, is desperately searching for a kidney donor to save her five-year-old daughter, A’Rihanna Ames. The young girl’s kidney disease is worsening, and she needs a transplant to survive.
A’Rihanna was born with Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease, and her condition has now reached Stage 5 Renal Failure. Tragically, her twin sister passed away shortly after birth, and now her family faces the challenge of finding a kidney donor.
“It’s been little bumps in the road or whatever. A lot of turnarounds,” said Randleston. “People will come forward say they will donate a kidney and then when you reach back out to them they block you or not answer the phone.”
Despite the setbacks, A’Rihanna remains a lively kindergartner who loves playing outside, watching Peppa Pig, and spending time with her three older siblings and grandmother. She is currently being treated at the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s Eli Manning Children’s Clinic.
Randleston and A’Rihanna’s father, Tommy Ames Jr., are determined to find a donor to save their daughter’s life. Randleston has turned to social media to raise awareness and connect with potential donors.
“It’s somebody out there that will help her,” said Randleston. “If you can just continue to share her story so somebody will come forward and try to help us.”
“Please keep sharing my story,” said A’Rhianna.
Moreover, the family has set up a GoFundMe to assist with A’Rihanna’s medical expenses. It has so far raised nearly $1,000.