Local Girl Needs Kidney Donor

Aracelis Mercado is an adorable 11-year-old girl from Long Branch, and like a lot of girls her age, loves playing with Nintendo Wii, dancing, and of course, Justin Bieber.

But while other girls are playing carefree, Aracelis is fighting for her health.

Aracelis has end stage renal disease, but her story is more complicated than her disease.

She was taken from her mother for medical neglect in 2005. A year later, her mother was taken in by her uncle, Alex Quinones.

When Alex found out about Aracelis's situation, he contacted the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to try to help. He went through all the necessary training, was able to take her home from the hospital in October of 2006 and officially adopted Aracelis in 2009.

Aracelis has to do home peritoneal dialysis seven days a week for her kidney problems, and also has a related bone disease called renal osteodystrophy. Earlier this year she started having a related heart problem, pericardial effusion (fluid around her heart.)

These problems can be solved with a kidney transplant. She received a transplant once, but her body rejected it, and a living donor is her best chance for recovery.

Alex is even willing to donate his kidney to someone else if it means someone will give theirs to Aracelis.

She has type o blood, and is desperate for help. If you or someone you know is interested in donation, please call the donation number at 973-322-5047.

If you can make a financial donation, or would like to help in any other way, you can call Alex at 732-900-9303.

Let's get this little girl the help she needs!