With the cost of a transplant often exceeding $500,000, many transplant families are unable to shoulder the financial burden of such a procedure.  The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) is a national charity dedicated to organizing and guiding communities in raising funds for transplant-related expenses.  In Milwaukee, volunteers are raising funds for COTA in honor of transplant patients like local baby, Ashton Romero. 

Ashton is the son of Gina and Sal Romero.  Born on August 09, 2013, Ashton was diagnosed with Pulmonary Atresia.  The doctors at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee have recommended a life-saving heart transplant.  An estimated $60,000 is being raised by Milwaukee volunteers. 

Ashton is the youngest of Gina and Sal’s children. He has an older sister named Gabriella and an older brother name Cole. They love their brother and are happy that he is home with them after living in the hospital for the first 7 months.

Doctors discovered Ashton’s heart condition during the first ultrasound. Gina was referred to a pediatric cardiologist for a second opinion. The pediatric cardiologist confirmed the finding and told Gina, Sal, and Sarina (Gina’s sister) that this was the worst case she has seen in her 20 years of service. Gina called him Tenderheart throughout her pregnancy after the finding. Sarina asked a friend to design her idea of a “Tenderheart”. The Ashton Tenderheart was created. The Ashton Tenderheart design was made and copyrighted as a symbol of Ashton’s frail heart (thank you Matt Zumbo).