McConnell Society
The McConnell Society was created in 1999 to recognize those forward thinking individuals who have remembered the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) in their estate or gift planning process or plans. McConnell Society members enable COTA to help children and young adults get a second chance at life. By making a bequest to COTA, you ensure that COTA’s mission is addressed well into the future. By informing COTA in writing that you have named the organization as a beneficiary in your will or estate plan, you become a member of The McConnell Society.
The McConnell Society is named in memory of COTA’s first patient, David McConnell. In July 1985, Danny and Suzanne McConnell were told their son David had biliary atresia (a rare and deadly disease that attacks the liver) and would require a transplant. At the time, the McConnell’s had two small children, and had no idea how they could pay for such a surgery.
According to the McConnells, COTA’s first fundraiser was not a success as their friends and family members raised a total of 38¢ at the county fair. But those numbers increased dramatically as the family’s message of need spread, and as more volunteers began to reach out to their community asking for help and donations. Within a few weeks, more than 100 volunteers in their hometown of Bloomington, Indiana, rallied around the family and successfully raised more than $100,000 to place this little boy on the liver transplant waiting list.
Sadly, David McConnell died before a liver became available. But that was not the end of the story … it was just the beginning.
What started as a drive to save the life of one child in central Indiana evolved into the Children’s Organ Transplant Association. Since that time, COTA has grown into a national organization whose patients come from across the nation, and from a myriad of social, economic and ethnic backgrounds. Today’s COTA patients mirror David McConnell’s situation -- an overwhelming financial need and communities who answer the call to assist with that need.
If you would like more information about how to become a member of COTA’s McConnell Society.
Click here to:
- Request more information or a call or meeting with COTA President Rick Lofgren
- View Donor Stories
- Research charitable tax questions
- Calculate a charitable tax deduction
Meg Dvorak
Giving Hope:
“Through COTA, our family has received much welcomed support that helped us overcome a very difficult time in our lives, Alexis’ transplant. COTA provided ‘hope’ that our personal financial burdens would be minimal and most importantly allowed us to concentrate on our daughter and her needs.”
David and Barbara Flynn
