MUSKEGON, Mich. – A Michigan mother is on a mission to save her daughter’s life.
Alyssa Clark, 22, needs a new kidney and her mom is now using the family's vehicles – as well as those of anyone else who is willing – to hopefully get the attention of her future donor.
As soon as the Clarks posted the transplant hotline number on their car, they say the offers started pouring in, with total strangers trying to help find a match.
"Prior to being sick I was a student going to school for marketing," Alyssa Clark told WXMI.
Just two years ago, Clark's life changed when she was told by her doctor that her kidneys were failing.
"I was like, 'Whoa.' Out of nowhere all of a sudden I'm in the hospital for kidney failure, and they say I have to start dialysis in a couple of weeks and I have to get a transplant, and this will be the rest of my life," Clark said.
The wait in Michigan for a kidney is five to seven years. But Alyssa's family says a donor would allow her to have a normal life again, without the wait.
So her mom took out a marker and drew attention to a number that could speed up the process.
"I bought the paint markers and I did all of our cars and then I was like 'OK, who's next? I'm coming over, I'm doing your car,' and then from there it really just kind of exploded," says Marge Nichols, Alyssa's mom.
And it has.
People from all over are telling the Clarks they've called the transplant hotline. But Alyssa's match is still out there, and they know it will be worth the wait.
"Dialysis isn't a life you want to live," Clark said.
"It's tough, it's hard. I would love to just fix it and get her healthy and well again," Nichols said, "But Alyssa deserves it. She's a good girl and she's got her whole life ahead of her and she really could use some help."
If you'd like to donate you can contact the transplant hotline at (616) 685-6068.