Bridgewater Student Gets 2nd Chance At Life With Kidney Transplant, Fundraiser Started

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Joey DiChiara of Bridgewater had her whole life ahead of her with big college plans. However, everything changed in 2020 when she was diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), which is linked to COVID-19.

The virus caused serious and permanent damage to her kidneys. Over the next five years, her health declined, causing her to leave college, give up working, and put her life on hold just to survive.

It's been a long road for DiChiara, who is now 22 and a junior in college. Luckily, this past July, she received the gift of life — a kidney from a selfless 21-year-old donor.

"This young hero gave Joey a second chance of life, and for that we are forever grateful," according to a GoFundMe fundraising website set up for DiChiara.

DiChiara's mother Lisa, who owns Green Knoll Grill in Bridgewater, said this whole process has been so hard for Joey and the entire family.

"She wants to get her life back since she was given a second chance. She can’t wait to go back to college and live her life," said Lisa DiChiara to Patch.

DiChiara thanked Joey's nephrologist, Dr. Sandesh Jain, who has helped her over the last five years.

"This man has been so supportive. There’s no one like him. The transplant team at St. Barnabus is also amazing. We are lucky we have their support," said Lisa DiChiara.

Now with a second chance at life, Joey is still facing a long recovery ahead and major challenges.

She will need to take immunosuppressants for the rest of her life to prevent her body from rejecting the kidney. These medications, along with ongoing hospital visits, lab tests, and follow-up care, are not fully covered by insurance.

She won’t be able to work for at least six to 12 months as she heals, and the cost of her medications and basic living expenses is overwhelming.

"Joey dreams of returning to college, picking up where she left off, getting back to work, and eventually helping others the way so many have helped her. She wants her story to be one of survival, strength, and purpose — not of struggle," according to the GoFundMe.

Money raised through the fundraiser will go toward life-saving medications, post-transplant medical bills, monthly IVIG infusions, and transportation to and from medical appointments two days a week.

Additionally, Lisa DiChiara is hosting a fundraising concert called "Hearts For Joey" on Sunday, Oct. 5, at Green Knoll Grill, 645 Route 202, Bridgewater. The event will feature Soul Seduction at 1 p.m., followed by Mush Mouth at 4 p.m.

"The bands that will be playing will be in support of helping Joey," said Lisa DiChiara. "Poor kid wants her life back. She wants to work and go back to college ASAP. The doctors are against that for at least a year."

For more information on the fundraiser, visit gofundme.com/f/hope-for-joey-help-joey-heal-after-her-kidney-transplant, or the fundraising concert visit greenknollgrill.com.

According to NJ Sharing Network, more than 100,000 people in the United States — including nearly 4,000 in New Jersey — are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. Every eight minutes, another person is added to the transplant waiting list, and tragically, 13 people in the U.S. die each day while waiting. To learn more, get involved, and register as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org.

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