Local teenager needs kidney transplant

Like most 17-year-olds, Alex Brigantti enjoys going to the beach, shopping at the mall, watching reality TV shows and, above all, playing with her pit bull puppy, Mia.

But Alex is not like most teenagers. She suffers from chronic kidney disease, and often experiences cold chills, fatigue, headaches and loss of appetite.

That’s where Mia comes in.

“She cheers me up every single day just by being with me. I love when she lies down and licks me,” Alex said in a Monday, Sept. 7 email.

After being diagnosed with the disease in August 2014, Alex’s health has suffered as she has declined to the fifth and most advanced stage of the disease. She will need a kidney transplant to stay alive. If Alex doesn’t receive a transplant soon, she may be put on dialysis.

“I’m always waiting to see if today is the day she’ll be put on dialysis,” said Aidimar Richardson, Alex’s mother.

Family and friends are actively searching for a donor and raising money to help with medical expenses. They’ve raised more than $20,000 so far, and have another fundraiser scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, but finding a donor has been a trying ordeal that has left the family disappointed.

(Donate to Alex’s  expenses through the Children’s Organ Transplant Association here: http://www.cotaforalexb.com/)

In July, nearly one year after Alex’s diagnosis, Richardson learned a potential donor had completed a rigorous three months of medical testing and that her kidney would be a good match for Alex.

Five days before the scheduled surgery, Richardson learned that the procedure had been canceled. The family never learned the reason due to privacy restrictions. The next day, Richardson bought her daughter a female pit bull puppy, who she named Mia.

“That dog is her life,” Richardson said. “She sleeps on her pillow.”

Another potential donor, a blood relative, currently is undergoing testing in Chapel Hill to see if his kidney will be a good match. Richardson said she hopes to hear news within the next two weeks. If the relative is not a match, three other potential donors will be tested.

“Insurance will only allow one donor to be tested at a time,” Richardson said.

The medical bills and the trips to Chapel Hill add up, which is why friends and family are working to raise funds to help.

“She’s on seven medications; she takes 118 pills each week,” Richardson said.

Teri Massey, the mother of Alex’s best friend, works with the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) to organize fundraisers for the family. Her goal is to raise $90,000 to help with travel costs and other expenses.

“There are a lot of kids and adults out there needing kidney transplants,” Massey said.

Alex’s blood type is O negative. Although that is considered the universal blood type, in general people who are O negative can only receive blood or organs from others who are O negative. The American Red Cross states that is about 9 percent of the U.S. population.

Alex, who didn’t even have a primary care physician before her diagnosis, has adjusted to the constant medical attention.

“Before diagnosis, she complained of headaches each day,” Richardson said.

The headaches prompted Richardson to take her daughter to an optometrist, who noticed that Alex’s blood pressure was abnormally high. Then, Richardson took her to a pediatrician, to New Hanover County Regional Medical Center and to the University of North Carolina Hospital in Chapel Hill.

“It was an eight-day stay in Chapel Hill trying to figure out what was wrong with her,” Richardson said.

Alex’s condition was diagnosed as stage three kidney disease. Alex was matched with a pediatric nephrologist in Chapel Hill and informed that she would need a kidney transplant.

Alex’s chronic kidney disease is the only thing separating her from her classmates at Eugene Ashley High School. She is still healthy enough to attend two classes each morning on campus. She takes one online class at home, and spends her afternoons resting or working with children in her stepfather’s business, Coastal Martial Arts Academy, after school.

Richardson said that working with children and frequent hospital visits has inspired her daughter to consider a career in pediatric nursing. Alex hopes she’s able to study for that career in a warmer climate.

“I don’t know exactly what college I want to go to, but I know I definitely want to go to Florida,” she said.

After receiving a transplant Alex can enjoy many freedoms, including driving.

“The kidney could not work at all, or it could last 20 years. She will be on medicine for the rest of her life,” Richardson said.

Massey’s next fundraiser for Alex will feature 31 craft vendors and be held Saturday, Sept. 12, 1-4 p.m. at Coastal Martial Arts Academy.

Suzy Albert, who sells Stella and Dot accessories, will be among the vendors.

“I sell everything from delicate pieces to big statement pieces, wallets and handbags,” she said. “I should have about 10 trays of jewelry and four or five bags.”

Albert described Alex as very shy.

“She definitely didn’t ask for this kind of attention, but it’s a side effect of being a part of this kind of situation. She’s a sweet kid,” Albert said.

Other merchandise will include Mary Kay makeup and Body by Vi nutritional supplements, Pampered Chef kitchen utensils and handmade products.

Jane Fulton will sell her homemade doll clothes.

“Now is a good time to get an early start on Christmas shopping,” she said.

The three-hour event will also feature raffle goodie baskets, food and beverages.

To donate to Alex’s fundraising site at COTA, visit: http://www.cotaforalexb.com/ To register as a vendor or to learn more, contact Teri Massey at 516-790-6949 or at
[email protected]

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