WASHINGTON, Oct 28, (Agencies): Emmie Mahoney entered this world facing a daunting medical challenge: she was born without kidneys. Her remarkable journey to her second birthday in March is a testament to the boundless love and determination of her mother, Andi Mahoney.

During a routine 20-week scan while Andi was pregnant with Emmie, a devastating revelation unfolded. The doctors diagnosed Emmie with a rare and often fatal condition known as bilateral renal agenesis, meaning she was developing without kidneys. This condition is extremely challenging because it impacts lung development due to the absence of both kidneys.

Bilateral renal agenesis is a rare occurrence, affecting just 1 in 8,500 newborns. Tragically, most infants with this condition do not survive beyond a few hours after birth due to respiratory failure caused by the absence of kidneys to produce urine and amniotic fluid.

Andi Mahoney's determination to give her daughter a fighting chance was unwavering. She made regular six-hour trips from their Jacksonville, Florida home to Miami's Fetal Institute to provide Emmie with the necessary fluid infusions for her survival. She knew that Emmie needed that fluid to breathe, and she was determined to do whatever it took to keep her baby alive.

At the 34-week mark of Andi's pregnancy, a premature rupture of her membranes occurred. This development carried extreme risks for Emmie, including respiratory distress and an increased chance of infection, which could be fatal. In a bid to ensure Emmie's safety, Andi sought out a hospital in Stanford, California, with experience in delivering babies with bilateral renal agenesis. Despite her ruptured membranes, she flew from Jacksonville to California, driven by the hope that her daughter would survive.

Emmie was born with underdeveloped lungs, and her survival depended on dialysis. The Mahoney family, including dad Ryan and two older sisters, relocated closer to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, where Emmie received outpatient dialysis for 30 months.

Hope shone through when Andi discovered that she and Emmie had matching blood types and that she was approved for kidney donation. Without hesitation, Andi decided to give one of her kidneys to her beloved daughter, saying, "I didn't think twice. I knew I was giving my kidney to Emmie." Kidney donations within families are less likely to be rejected, as the donor and recipient share genetic similarities. Moreover, a kidney from a living donor typically functions immediately, as it is out of the body for a very short time, reducing the need for postoperative dialysis.

Emmie's story is a powerful testament to the love and sacrifices parents are willing to make for their children's well-being. It is a celebration of the remarkable strength and resilience of both Emmie and her mother, Andi, who, through their unwavering determination, overcame tremendous odds to ensure Emmie's survival and a chance at a bright future.