Mom searches for kidney donor after rare pregnancy complication

Key Points:

• Soledad Guerrero, a 36-year-old new mother from near Seattle, is seeking a living kidney donor nine months after experiencing a rare and life-threatening pregnancy complication called pregnancy-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (p-aHUS).
• Despite a healthy pregnancy and planned induction, Guerrero developed blood clotting problems, liver and kidney failure, with her kidney function not recovering after delivery, leading to ongoing dialysis treatment.
• p-aHUS is a rare condition triggered by pregnancy that causes overactivation of the immune system and blood clotting, affecting kidney function; it occurs in about 1 in 25,000 pregnancies and can be difficult to diagnose.
• Guerrero is advocating for increased awareness of prenatal and postpartum care and encouraging people to consider organ donation, as doctors have advised a living kidney transplant is her best option for recovery and improved quality of life.
• She hopes her story inspires others to understand that serious health issues can arise unexpectedly and emphasizes the importance of organ donation to help those in need regain normalcy.