{"id":1192,"date":"2026-02-26T13:35:07","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T18:35:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/inhishands\/?p=1192"},"modified":"2026-02-26T13:35:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T18:35:07","slug":"parents-plead-for-miracle-kidney-donor-as-14-year-old-sons-health-declines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/inhishands\/2026\/02\/parents-plead-for-miracle-kidney-donor-as-14-year-old-sons-health-declines\/","title":{"rendered":"Parents Plead For \u2018Miracle\u2019 Kidney Donor as 14-Year-Old Son\u2019s Health Declines"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
Christa DeMark<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A New Jersey family is asking for urgent prayers \u2014 and a lifesaving act of generosity \u2014 as their 14-year-old son faces kidney failure and the prospect of dialysis within weeks if a donor is not found.<\/p>\n

Thaddeus Giansanti, an eighth-grader described by his parents as joyful, driven and deeply compassionate, was born with kidney disease and has endured multiple surgeries throughout his life. Now, his remaining kidney is failing, and doctors say a transplant is his best chance for long-term health.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis remaining kidney is now failing,\u201d said his father, Carlo Giansanti. \u201cWe are not a match, so now we\u2019re asking for help from the community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thaddeus\u2019 medical journey began even before birth, when a prenatal ultrasound detected abnormalities. Initially, doctors believed the issue might be minor, but concerns grew shortly after he was born.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt looked like he had extra fluid when he was born,\u201d his mother, Christa DeMark, explained. \u201cEverything seemed normal, but right before we were leaving, they noticed an elevated creatinine number \u2026 that led to us being in touch with nephrology.\u201d<\/p>\n

Further testing revealed structural problems with his kidneys and ureters, the tubes that carry urine to the bladder. As an infant, Thaddeus spent extended time in the NICU and underwent numerous procedures. Before he was 5 months old, surgeons removed his left kidney.<\/p>\n

His remaining kidney was later diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, requiring lifelong monitoring and medication. For years, his condition remained stable \u2014 but that has changed rapidly.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been with nephrology \u2026 his entire life, and up until last year, everything\u2019s been stable, but that\u2019s been slowly changing,\u201d DeMark said. \u201cHe\u2019s getting bigger, and it\u2019s been putting more stress on his remaining kidney.\u201d<\/p>\n

Recent bloodwork has accelerated the timeline dramatically.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything\u2019s been sped up based on his bloodwork lately,\u201d DeMark said. \u201cSo it\u2019s looking like we need something quicker than we thought, which is why we\u2019re looking for living donors.\u201d<\/p>\n

Without a transplant soon, doctors say Thaddeus will need dialysis \u2014 a physically and emotionally taxing treatment that can significantly affect quality of life.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s obviously been challenging for him,\u201d DeMark said. \u201cHe\u2019s dealing with it very well, but these are difficult situations we\u2019re navigating.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the mounting health crisis, Thaddeus continues to shine in school and community. His parents describe him as a straight-A student who has already earned multiple scholarships ahead of starting high school next year. He loves soccer, golf and fencing, plays piano and regularly volunteers \u2014 serving at church and helping at a local food pantry.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe loves his family, and loves doing things with his family,\u201d DeMark said. \u201cHe\u2019s just a great kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

For years, the family kept Thaddeus\u2019 condition largely private, wanting him to experience childhood without being defined by illness.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted Thad to just be the bright, happy person that he is, so we\u2019ve minimized it for years,\u201d DeMark said.<\/p>\n

But as his condition has worsened, they have begun sharing his story publicly \u2014 and have been moved by the response.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe never expected to have such an outpouring of people who cared or people trying to help \u2014 it\u2019s been incredibly humbling,\u201d she said. \u201cIt has pushed us to rely on faith in a way that\u2019s very palpable \u2014 we are just coming together as a family and taking each day as it comes.\u201d<\/p>\n

The family remains hopeful that a living donor will step forward. Eligible donors must be 45 or younger, have O blood type and meet certain health criteria. The procedure is laparoscopic with a relatively quick recovery and is covered by the recipient\u2019s insurance, not the donor\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe miracle Thad needs right now is people who have the ability to step up,\u201d DeMark said. \u201cHe is a great kid, a kind kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the Giansanti family waits and prays, their message is simple: there is a solution \u2014 and a life that could be saved \u2014 if someone is willing to help.<\/p>\n

Those interested in being considered as a donor can complete the Kidney Transplant Living Donor Questionnaire<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Heavenly Father, we lift up Thaddeus to You. Please bring healing, protection and strength in these urgent days. Guide the right donor to come forward quickly, and fill his family with peace and hope as they wait. Surround Thaddeus with Your comfort and courage, and remind them all that You are near. In Jesus\u2019 name, Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A New Jersey family is asking for urgent prayers \u2014 and a lifesaving act of generosity \u2014 as their 14-year-old son faces kidney failure and the prospect of dialysis within weeks if a donor is not found. Thaddeus Giansanti, an eighth-grader described by his parents as joyful, driven and deeply compassionate, was born with kidney…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":462,"featured_media":1198,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1192","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nParents Plead For \u2018Miracle\u2019 Kidney Donor as 14-Year-Old Son\u2019s Health Declines<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A New Jersey teen needs a kidney transplant fast. 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