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San Pedro Teen Fighting Rare Kidney Disease To Go To Prom


SAN PEDRO (CBS) — A serious kidney disease has kept a San Pedro teen out of school, but she says it won't keep her from prom or her graduation.

Kortini Mizuno, 17, was diagnosed with a chronic kidney disease in 2010.

"If I were to have a kidney transplant, it would just transfer to the other kidney. So basically, I can't do anything about it right now," said Mizuno.

Due to the disease's side effects, Mizuno was forced to leave her high school and began home schooling.

"I can be fine one day and in excruciating pain the next hour," said Mizuno

Since she is home schooled, the teen is allowed to participate in school events, such as prom and graduation. But, Mizuno's medical bills have left little money for a prom dress and other expenses.

"It's a lot of money on top of my medical bills and being in the hospital for four months is not cheap," Mizuno said.

Mizuno says she is trying to raise money to make her prom and graduation dreams come true.

"I just want to see her come down the stairs and be with her friends," said Colleen Mizuno, Kortini's mother.

Donations can be made at Chase Bank, 17200 S. Hawthorne Blvd., in Torrance.

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