In July 2019, our world was rocked to the core. Ashlee started to swell up (legs, feet, back, and face) so I took her in to see her family doctor. Her blood pressure was very high and within days she was sent to ER. She was then diagnosed with Post-streptococcal Glomerulonephritis. She had her first biopsy at age 14, one week before she was to start her freshman year in high school. Things were so bad those first few weeks I had to pull her out of school. In a few months’ time, she spent almost 45 days in the hospital. She was very weak, and her body was aggressively losing all kidney function. She was then moved to Cleveland Clinic Children’s hospital to have a second opinion. but little did we know how strong this young lady would have to be. She was in renal failure.

     What would be her new normal…steroids, monthly IV treatments, hospital stays, immunosuppressants, blood test, urinalysis, 17 pills a day at the age of fourteen and the list goes on. Ashlee has a great team of Nephrologists around her.

     In September, Ashlee had another kidney biopsy done because the first one didn’t give the doctors the results needed to give her the proper diagnosis. When the results came back, it was end stage renal failure. The doctors have never seen a case like this. In a matter of months, her kidneys were so much worse than when it all began. In October of 2019, Ashlee had a chest catheter placed and began dialysis. She goes three days a week, and its five hours a day. January of 2020, she was declared a chronic patient. She also had to go back in for surgery in March to have a new chest catheter placed because the old one wasn’t working properly. We are now waiting on all testing to begin (waiting on insurance approval).

   Ashlee’s story has been a great one to tell. She loves music, art, tap, and theater. She participated in choir in school and was picked to be part of the Children’s Preparatorial Chorus. She loves to paint and is very creative. She has always been a great student in school. Math was always her favorite subject. She is now being schooled at home and a tutor provides extra help as needed.

     Through your donations to COTA in honor of Ashlee, 100% of the funds raised assist with transplant-related expenses. We may have to travel to Cincinnati for transplant which is four hours away from our home in Cleveland, Ohio. COTA’s assistance will allow Ashlee to stay in Cincinnati during surgery and post-transplant care. It would help ease the worries of the family so we can focus on my daughter’s health. COTA will stay with Ashlee the rest of her life. When she gets older COTA would help with medications, medical bills, and a second transplant if needed down the road.

     We ask that you share our story, pray for us, pray for Ashlee, and give to COTA however you see fit. No gift is to small, God Bless! 

The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) helps children and young adults who need a life-saving transplant by providing fundraising assistance and family support. COTA is the nation’s only fundraising organization solely dedicated to raising life-saving dollars in honor of transplant-needy children and young adults. 100% of each contribution made to COTA in honor of our patients helps meet transplant-related expenses. COTA’s services are free to our families, and gifts to COTA are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.