Daughter Gives Her Mother A "Gift Of Life"
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Every child looks to get their mother the perfect gift for Mother's Day. This year, one girl will give her mother a gift that can't be bought and will change her life forever.
Every Mother's Day is special for Michele Giordano and her daughter Jenna Giordano .
"Always been close," said Michele.
"My mom is my best friend, she really is," said Jenna. "I cannot imagine my life without her."
Michele was diagnosed with kidney disease 15-years ago and learned this year that it has gotten worse. Michele and Jenna are worried about the future.
"My doctor said to me, 'you need to go on a kidney transplant list,'" said Michele. Some people get on the list and never get a kidney."
"I was just really scared for her life. You never know how your life can change in a blink of an eye," said Jenna.
However, Jenna soon realized she could change her mom's life by becoming a living kidney donor.
Several of their family members were tested to see if anyone was a match.
"I didn't hesitate at all. I just knew it was going to be me. I knew I was going to be a match before I even found out I was a match," said Jenna. "I knew it was going to be me and I was just really grateful and really happy I was going to give my mom a kidney."
"She called me up the day they called her," said Michele.
"I was like 'I'm a match' and she was like 'really?'" said Jenna. "Her voice was really excited and really scared."
"I had mixed feelings. She's my baby, she's going to go into surgery. I was worried, I was nervous," said Michele. "This is something you never expect a child to do for you. You give a child life, but you don't expect a child to give you life."
That's exactly the gift Jenna will give her mom in just three days when she will donate her kidney. It's a gift that makes this Mother's Day a little extra special.
"It's just so courageous and unselfish of her. I think it's the best gift I've ever gotten in my life," said Michele.
I'm very grateful that this all happened, that I'm able to save my mom's life," said Jenna. "She gave me life and now I'm giving her life."
