ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The good news just keeps on coming for a recent transplant recipient.

Last month, KOB 4 shared the story of Make-a-Wish New Mexico’s CEO donating a kidney so one of her “wish kids” could get a kidney from a living donor.

It has been a long journey for 21-year-old Bella Pishyar, who is now about two weeks out from a kidney transplant from a living donor.

Pishyar went through years of hours-long dialysis appointments. Her body even rejected a kidney from a deceased donor in 2020.

Make-a-Wish New Mexico was working in the background to grant her the perfect wish. In 2022, she got her dog, Capt. Rodney Hook.

“He knew when I wasn’t feeling good. He knew, just like, to lay with me and cuddle and just make me feel better,” Pishyar said.

Then, Make-a-Wish delivered again. CEO Sara Lister donated one of her kidneys so Pishyar could get another kidney from a living donor.

That story caught the attention of a long time Make-a-Wish New Mexico donor, who donated $50,000 in honor of it.

“Knowing that my story is also helping more kids get their wishes, it’s just like, it’s just so, so, oh my gosh, I can’t even describe it,” Pishyar said.

That donation will help grant wishes for six more critically-ill kids in New Mexico.

“Getting a wish granted is just a blessing in disguise. You may not know that you needed it, but it helps you so much. It makes you look forward to the future,” Pishyar said.

Now, she is looking forward to the little things, like riding her bike and swimming.

“Before all this happened, I was a big swimmer. I love the water and everything, and ever since then, I haven’t been able to go swimming at all,” she said. “I just want to thank everyone who has sent their prayers and support for me.”

Sara Lister, the president and CEO of Make-a-Wish New Mexico issued the following statement to KOB 4:

“Following the story airing on KOB 4, we were contacted by a long time donor, who shared that they are making a $50,000 donation to Make-A-Wish New Mexico in honor of Bella and Sara’s story.  The donor would like to remain anonymous but they understand the life-changing impact of a wish on a critically ill child and they hope Bella and Sara’s story encourages others to give as well. Their incredible donation will allow 6 more children in New Mexico to receive their wish. We are so grateful and humbled by their generosity.”