Kaja O'Leary never lived a normal life no matter how much she wanted to. Kaja had been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Her life was filled with doctor appointments, treatments, and not being able to "play".
Cystic fibrosis is mucus blocking air ways on the lungs which makes it difficult to breathe and making it hard to digest foods. It's a disease that isn't curable, however treatments can help make breathing and breaking down foods easier.
I had the honor to meet her when I was in 3rd grade. We were good friends that sadly as the school years went on, we grew apart. We always said hi and asked how the other was doing, but never went further than that.
In 2006 Kaja began fighting for her life. Then August 11, 2006 she went under to receive a double lung transplant. She continued fighting during and after the transplant. Family and friends were all worried because of how weak she was when the call came threw that lungs were a match. However Kaja pulled threw and her body didn't reject the donors lungs!
She was finally able to start living a semi-normal life, just like any other kid. She didn't have to go to appointments everyday, do all her treatments, and could just relax and take in the day. After she received the new lungs she was able to gain weight when she couldn't before and overall looked healthier!
She was selected to be granted her wish from Make A Wish. Unfortunately, I don't know what her wish was that was granted, or when she received her wish. However, when she was a junior in high school she started to make a difference. She was a huge player in the schools Make A Wish program. She wanted to make a difference in people's lives, just how they made a difference in her and her families lives.
Kaja and I happen to be Facebook messaging one day remembering the "good old days" when we were in elementary school working on projects, who had a crush on who, and some of the recess games we would play. Sadly, at the time I didn't realize that she was recapping her life.
She decided at that time to let nature take its coarse. She never stopped fighting and taught us all never to give in and keep fighting. She was a brave, strong, young women! She touched many people's hearts with her story and her fight. Which is why I decided to do this charity drive in honor of her.
It is my time to try and make a difference in someone's life. Just like they did for Kaja, and Kaja did for others.
June 26, 1992 - April 7, 2014
