Rosetta Thrasher-Miller was only three days old when her lung collapsed and the discovery was made that her levels were not right and her kidneys had not developed correctly. Her mother, Virginia Miller, reflected back on that time, saying at five days old she was told she needed to let her go, but said as long as Thrasher-Miller continued to fight, so would they. Additionally, she said it was believed that it was caused by twin to twin transfusion, as Thrasher-Miller is also a twin.

“Some of the nurses had children with kidney issues and after talking with them I knew we would need to do a kidney transplant eventually,” Miller said. “I did a lot of research, and at first they wanted us to go to Cleveland Clinic but we discovered that Pittsburgh had the best of the best and we went there and they said they would do it.”

Following finding someone to do the transplant, the family then was in need to find a match. First, Miller said Thrasher-Miller’s biological dad was a match but would not do it for personal reasons. Two other matches followed, but the first match was unable to do it after a broken back, and the third was Michelle Smith, who would be the donor.

Miller said Smith had read Thrasher-Miller’s story in the paper and had children of her own with kidney issues, and that made her want to reach out and be the donor. Smith is now a big part of the family’s life.

Rosetta Thrasher-Miller is pictured as she is today.

“I say that I gave birth to Rosie but she gave her life,” Miller said.

After the transplant, Miller said it was constant maintenance and doctor visits for them, which right after were a weekly occurrence but these days are about four times a year. The visits are not always in Pittsburgh, as Miller said they are able to go to the office in Erie as well, but it will be a lifetime of doctors and lots of medications for Thrasher-Miller.

These days, Thrasher-Miller is a teenager, and while there are some things that are difficult and some things she cannot do such as lifting or jumping on a trampoline, Miller said she does very well. There are some days, she added, where she wants to just be a normal kid and cannot, but at the same time Thrasher-Miller already has a profession she wants to go into and is excited about — phlebotomy, or the medical practice of puncturing a vein to collect blood for testing, or donations — because she knows what it is like to go through that type of situation and that is what she wants to do.

For anyone potentially interested in donating a kidney, Miller said it is something that will create a bond for life.

“Those who are interested in donating should know the family will love you for life,” Miller said. “Rosie goes and stays at Michelle’s home. They have overnighters; she took her to her first Bills game. My husband even donated a kidney himself in honor of Rosie and we keep in touch with them too. It’s just a great feeling.”

Miller added that she wishes that more people would donate. If more people were willing to be living donors, she said, there would be less kids with these kinds of issues.

“People should give with an open heart,” Miller said. “This is not something Rosie chose, she didn’t ask to be born without kidneys. If everyone was willing to give like this, we wouldn’t have these issues. The odds can change fast for someone if another person is willing to give.”

For more information on Kidney Connection, visit kidneyconnection.org.