TEHAMA COUNTY, Calif. — After more than a year of searching, young CaeLee Wilde from Corning has found exactly what she was looking for.

When we first told you her story in September 2023, the ten-year-old had been diagnosed with end-stage renal disease. Back then, she and her mother, Casi, went from event to event raising awareness and looking for someone who could donate to save CaeLee’s life. Her story touched thousands.

“We were told that the team was actually overwhelmed with requests to test for CaeLee, so they had to bring in additional staff to help with the selection,” Casi said.

“How do you feel about it?” Casi asked CaeLee in an interview. “I don’t know,” CaeLee replied, tired after a day of treatment. “Grateful? Yes, grateful.”

Although so many donated their own kidney, it ultimately came from someone they never expected—someone who had already passed away. The kidney was a perfect match, and CaeLee and her mother raced to Stanford late that night after getting the call.

“When I think about everything we’ve done in the last year and a half since her diagnosis, and the fact that she’s now at Ronald McDonald because she’s had her kidney transplant, it still feels like I’m dreaming,” Casi said.

A week after the surgery, Casi said it’s already a relief to be back to normal. They’ll likely spend the next few weeks near the medical facility before returning home, where Casi said she’s finally looking to take a little break from social media.

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