Monongahela woman waiting for kidney donor
Latest News
December 14, 2019

Monongahela woman waiting for kidney donor

By Mon Valley Independent

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

For the past decade, Amy Michalic has been hoping for a miracle.

Amy, 46, of Monongahela was born with kidney disease, but wasn’t diagnosed until 10 years ago.

She had to have surgery to remove cysts in February 2009. Before the second procedure, doctors discovered one of her kidneys had shrunk to the size of a raisin and the other was hyperextended.

She had total kidney reconstruction surgery using robotics at UPMC and is now a case study because her condition was so rare.   

When doctors discovered the problem, she was in Stage 4 kidney failure.

Ten years and multiple surgeries later, she was approved to receive a kidney transplant this year.

Now officially on the transplant list, she is desperately searching for a donor as she’s now in stage 5 kidney failure.

To read the rest of this story, please see a copy of Saturday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at https://e.monvalleyindependent.com.

McKeesport firefighters rescue cat stuck in tree
Latest News, Main
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
December 17, 2025
It’s not known if the animal has an owner. Rescuing cats out of trees is something usually seen on TV shows, but it became a real-life scenario Tuesday when McKeesport firefighters had to do just that...
Elizabeth Borough wastewater system sale official
Latest News, Main
December 17, 2025
Pennsylvania American Water has finalized the purchase, completing the process that began nearly three years ago. For the MVI Pennsylvania American Water announced Tuesday it has completed the acquisi...
Monessen firefighters collect toys for kids
Latest News, Main
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
December 17, 2025
A fire truck was filled with donations that will be distributed by the Monessen Family Center. Monessen’s volunteer fire departments held their annual toy drive Tuesday night to provide Christmas gift...
North Belle Vernon approves budget with no tax increase
Latest News, Main
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
December 17, 2025
There’s a slight surplus in the 2026 spending plan. North Belle Vernon council adopted its 2026 budget Tuesday, holding the borough’s tax rate steady at 29 mills and continuing a 3-mill fire tax for N...
Commissioners plan to strip hotel tax revenue from county tourism to build convention center
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
WASHINGTON COUNTY
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
December 17, 2025
Jeff Kotula of the county’s Tourism Promotion Agency warns that the move would be a violation of state law. Washington County commissioners are weighing changes to the county’s hotel tax ordinance tha...
Rep. Davanzo honors lifesavers
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
December 17, 2025
State Rep. Eric Davanzo, R-Smithton, recently presented citations to Turkeytown Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Jamie Pergola and Smithton Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Marty Pon...