Angelica Ponce and her younger sister Miranda underwent a kidney transplant at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in November 2025, according to a Mar. 25 announcement. The sisters are preparing to participate in the Donate Life flag raising ceremony at Cedars-Sinai on April 1 as part of Donate Life Month.
The story highlights the importance of organ donation and how living donors can make a difference for family members facing life-threatening illnesses. Angelica, who was diagnosed with ANCA vasculitis as a teenager, experienced severe kidney damage in her mid-20s that led doctors to recommend dialysis and an eventual transplant.
“It is very unusual for people in their 20s to go into renal failure. Typically, kidney failure is related to diabetes and high blood pressure in patients in their 50s and older,” said Tsuyoshi Todo, MD, a kidney transplant surgeon at Cedars-Sinai. “In Angelica’s case, she was a college athlete and as healthy as they could come. It was very unfortunate she had her kidneys shut down due to her autoimmune disorder.” After learning about her need for a donor, Angelica’s sister Miranda volunteered for testing and turned out to be a perfect six out of six match.
“That six out of six number indicates the number of matches that Miranda’s body shares in common with Angelica’s body,” said Justin Steggerda, MD, another kidney transplant surgeon involved in the procedure. “This means Angelica’s body is less likely to react adversely to the transplant and less likely to form some sort of immune response that may later on lead to problems.” Miranda Ponce said she did not hesitate when she found out she could help: “I was happy that I had such a good match so that she could have the longest, healthiest years with the best kidney for her,” Miranda said.
The sisters spent several weeks recovering together after surgery at their parents’ home before resuming normal activities. Todo credited Angelica’s determination during recovery: “[Angelica] was determined to not walk down the aisle while she had a dialysis catheter hanging out of her chest,” Todo said. “And the fact that her sister stepped up to help her with a kidney donation for the biggest day of her life is very touching.” With plans underway for Angelica’s wedding in 2027—where Miranda will serve as maid of honor—the family looks forward to brighter days ahead.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has been serving patients since its founding in Los Angeles in 1902; it admitted more than 50,000 patients during calendar year 2022 according to its annual report.
