12-YEAR-OLD SOFIA IS FIGHTING TO GET HER CHILDHOOD BACK

The Story of Melina Sofia Lynn De La Lastra

What began as what seemed like an ordinary illness rapidly turned into a medical nightmare.

After Sofia became seriously ill in 2025, doctors discovered that her kidneys were failing. She endured hospitalizations and extensive testing before being diagnosed with two autoimmune conditions: ANCA vasculitis and Anti-GBM (Goodpasture disease).

THE DIALYSIS

Today, Sofia is receiving dialysis at home seven days a week.

Dialysis is keeping her alive — but a transplant can give her the chance to get back to something every child deserves:

• School
• Friends & sleepovers
• Normal days
• Time with her family
• A childhood beyond dialysis

CONSIDER BEING A DONOR?

Sofia can potentially receive a kidney directly from a compatible O+ or O− donor. Potential donors must be medically evaluated by the transplant team.

You do not need to know Sofia personally.
You do not need to assume you are a match.
And getting screened does not mean you are obligated to donate.

HOW TO HELP SOFIA

Sofia’s Transplant Hospital:

Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD)
Norfolk, Virginia

Donor information/contact:

kidney4sofia@gmail.com

Recipient:
Melina Sofia Lynn De La Lastra

Date of Birth:
October 15, 2013

NOT A MATCH?

Please don’t rule yourself out just because your blood type is different.

Through kidney paired exchange, a person who isn’t directly compatible with Sofia may still be able to donate a kidney to another compatible recipient, allowing Sofia to receive a compatible kidney in return.

SUPPORT THE MISSION

Help us reach the next Sofia.

One story can reach millions. One introduction can save a life. One act of generosity can change a family’s future forever.