About Cota
Letter from the President
Dear Friends,
The Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) exists to assist patients who require a life-saving organ, bone marrow, cord blood or stem cell transplant. We work with all transplant patients age 21 and under for any disease complication, and with any patient who needs a transplant due to a genetic disease such as Cystic Fibrosis or Sickle Cell Anemia.
COTA has assisted more than 1,400 families with fundraising to meet transplant-related expenses … things not covered by insurance -- from almost every state and every economic situation.
We guide the family and their volunteers through every step including: organizing and training the campaign committee, planning successful events and activities, working with the media and finding multiple sources of funding.
As you know, there will be expenses before and after the transplant that may not be covered by families’ insurance plans. Remember, fundraising is usually more successful before the transplant occurs, when the situation is a matter of life or death.
To make the most of their efforts, funds raised by local community members are deposited into the account COTA establishes at a local bank or are sent directly to COTA’s national office. This will not impact the patient, or their family, from income tax liabilities or any governmental assistance program such as Medicaid. This allows patients to capitalize on the advantages COTA offers, including the potential for up to a $10,000 match. The family can focus attention on their patient while we serve as the "bill payer" from the fund.
I recently read an email message from a patient who had just been released from the hospital following her double-lung transplant. She commented on how good she felt (except for a little pain in her chest), and how well everything had gone throughout the transplant. More than anything, she wanted to convey her thanks to the people who prayed for her and helped raise funds to meet her transplant –related expenses. While she knew there was still a long road to recovery, she was grateful for the second chance at life she was provided, and for our assistance to make that possible.
To begin a campaign, patients will need to:
- Complete the Family Information Form
- Have you or their doctor complete the Medical Information Form
- Return the signed Patient Agreement.
Once the completed packet is returned to COTA, we can start the process immediately. Our experience is that it usually takes less than a month to get organized for a "full-scale" campaign, but many campaigns are able to accomplish this in a matter of a week or two. Some campaigns are able to begin fundraising immediately, and we are prepared to help do this when needed.
The three keys to a successful campaign are: a strong organization with committed volunteers, good media coverage and a cooperative working arrangement with our staff.
Please feel free to call us at 800.366.2682 with any questions -- we look forward to working with you!
Respectfully,
Rick Lofgren, President
Children's Organ Transplant Association
Rebecca Bathon
Making Miracles:
“Amber is a miracle … our miracle. At one time post-transplant, we were told she might be in a vegetative state for the rest of her life. Today Amber is happy and playful and full of smiles. Every breath she takes is a miracle.”
Christy Battazzo and Ron Asboe
