A Gretna area girl in need of a transplant is fortunate to have found a donor. Many aren't so lucky.

We learned over the weekend that Joni Dibble passed away. Last month, Channel 6 News reported that while she was in Omaha awaiting a multiple organ transplant, someone stole the couples' pickup from their hotel parking lot. It was later recovered.

Sadly, the call Dan and Joni wanted most, that a donor had been found, never came. It's a difficult reality, but the chances of finding a donor are slim for those who need it.

There are 100,000 people across the U.S. waiting for a transplant. Overall, there are 326 people on the waiting list right now in Omaha to get an organ transplant. Many come in from other states and they live here temporarily until they get the call.

Nine months ago, Emily Koesters came down with something that seemed like allergies. "We noticed that she was getting really puffy in the eyes and face," says mother Erin Koesters.

A visit to the doctor showed something much more serious. “Immediately they're like something's wrong with her kidneys just by looking at her walking down the hallway,” says Erin.

Emily didn't respond to medication and her condition quickly deteriorated. She ended up in the hospital with incurable kidney disease.

“There comes a point where you're just like, why is this happening?” says Erin. “You get angry. She is only four, she hasn't done anything wrong, we're good people, what's going on here, why is this happening to her?"

Twice a day, Emily receives more than a dozen medications. Every night, her parents tuck her into bed with dialysis. Emily needs a transplant. “All along her dad and her had said if you need a transplant, I'm the one who's gonna give it,” says Erin. “Joe, I don't think you should be telling her this in case it doesn't happen."

It will happen next month. Joe will also undergo surgery. “I kept telling her I could fix just about anything, but what I couldn't fix was her,” says dad Joe. “Turned out I could give her my kidney and it's just like fixing her. I can fix just about anything."

“She is just a strong, brave beautiful girl,” says Erin. "I'm proud of him, too. I married a good one."

Emily's transplant will take place in May at the Nebraska Medical Center, which did 134 kidney transplants last year.

Emily's family has put together a spaghetti feed benefit for April 25th at the Nebraska Crossing atrium at the Gretna outlet mall, I-80 and Highway 31.

For more info about Emily, go to caringbridge.org.