CHILDREN’S ORGAN TRANSPLANT ASSOCIATION
February is highlighted with Valentine’s Day and thoughts of love. Nothing is more precious than the love parents have for their children and that perhaps is what led to the saying, “a parent is only as happy as his/her saddest child”. In thinking of that, we know that life sometimes throws curveballs and when life-saving measures, such as an organ transplant, are needed for a child, that is a curveball that needs fielded with great strength, courage, love – and financial resources.
The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) has earned the position as the premier organization that works in a unique and powerful way by providing fundraising assistance to transplant families FOR A LIFETIME. Since its inception in 1986, more than $150 million has been raised throughout the United States for thousands of children and young adults needing a life-saving organ, bone marrow or stem cell transplant or for those of any age with a single-gene disorder such as Polycystic Kidney Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, or Sickle Cell Disease.
The need for this assistance is incredible as most transplants cost between $250,000 and $800,000 not including family needs such as transportation, lodging, food, and transportation during the transplant stay. No insurance plan, no matter how good, pays for all transplant related expenses nor the post-transplant medications and medical costs that can exceed $10,000 annually.
Another additional benefit of working through COTA for fundraising is that none of the funds raised for these expenses are considered income for families. The service and guidance from COTA are at no cost to the families. Also, with COTA being the administrator for the funds being raised, patient participation in assistance programs is not jeopardized in any way.
COTA works with the patient, the patient’s family, and volunteers through many avenues in their fundraising efforts. This includes organizing and training volunteers, planning successful events, working with local media, and finding multiple sources of funding.
This charity was brought to our attention with local needs near Cable Tie Express for Jackson, better known as “Jax”, the two-year-old son of Kate and Matt Sutton. Jax was born in January 2020 with end stage renal disease and is in need of a kidney transplant. His fundraising goal is $60,000 with about $25,000 raised so far.
It is with great compassion that we have chosen to support the 501 © nonprofit COTA and, specifically, COTA for JAX, as our charity recipient for this month’s CTE GIVES BACK! donation.
Related Topics: CTE Gives Back, Cable Tie Express