Cousins' Bond Helps Save A Life
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Two cousins are celebrating their bond that gave one of them, from South Florida, the gift of life.
Yaredly Hernandez and Kiara Hernandez strengthened their bond as cousins by becoming kidney sisters a year ago.
But it wasn't an easy journey.
Doctors told Yaredly she needed a kidney transplant back in March 2013. She was placed on dialysis while they searched for a donor, looking into her own family for a saving grace.
Her two brothers and a girlfriend of one of the brothers were tested, but none of them proved to be a match until 20-year old Kiara came to visit from Puerto Rico.
She decided to get tested and was a perfect match for Yaredly.
Doctors successfully performed the transplant on November 13, 2013 at Jackson Memorial Hospital .
A year later, the two decided to celebrate their kidney sisters or "kidsters" bond by being surrounded with family and friends at a Miami hotel.
Their special bond goes beyond the physical.
They said they plan to launch a non-profit organization called "Amatista" to help raise awareness and educate people on living kidney donations.
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