BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) – Ambrealle Brown's journey towards her dream of becoming a nurse faced a significant setback when she was diagnosed with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a rare and life-threatening kidney disease. This diagnosis, which came in 2016, left Brown temporarily incapacitated and struggling with her health as she dealt with the implications of her condition on her future.

Her situation took a hopeful turn when her mother, Nija Butler, stepped in to offer her a kidney. Butler, despite being told by doctors that she was likely not a suitable match for donation, made the decision to undergo testing to see if she could help her daughter. Their relationship, shaped by years of closeness, had always been strong, especially as Butler had raised Brown as a teen parent. Ultimately, Brown and Butler underwent Louisiana's first robotic kidney transplant in March 2023, a groundbreaking procedure that enhanced the precision of the surgery while minimizing invasiveness, pain, and recovery time.

After the successful kidney transplant, Brown was able to refocus on her education. Her mother, inspired by the circumstances, chose to pursue her registered nurse’s license as well. The duo spent the next 16 months tightly intertwined in their nursing studies, attending classes and studying together. This collaborative journey culminated in April 2025 when they proudly walked across the graduation stage from the Baton Rouge General School of Nursing, donning white caps and gowns.

During their graduation, Butler expressed the depth of her love for her daughter, articulating that she would do anything for Brown, a sentiment that rang true throughout their challenging experiences. Brown, now 34, acknowledged the difficulty of nursing school and credited her mother for her steadfast support, emphasizing that she couldn't have achieved this milestone without Butler by her side. Meanwhile, Brown has accepted a position in a burns intensive care unit, while Butler has continued her career at a psychiatric facility.

The mother-daughter duo hopes that their remarkable story serves to inspire others to persevere despite life’s obstacles and underscores the importance of organ donation and the transplant process. In a heartfelt moment, Brown thanked her mother for giving her life twice, recognizing the rarity of such opportunities. Butler, with tears in her eyes, reaffirmed her willingness to make the same choice again without hesitation.