• Wondering how you can help?

Many people have asked me over the years, especially this last year, how they can help. I really have brushed it off not because I don’t appreciate the offer and/or need help, but simply because our family loves to give to others and it is extremely hard to receive. Unfortunately, the reality is we need help. This past year has been one of the most difficult we have faced aside from Jessica’s open heart surgery and her left nephrectomy in 2007. Jessica’s medical conditions have worsened and even newer medical conditions have developed, all of which affects her remaining kidney function. This past 1.5 years has changed our lives so much. While we have always strived and continue to strive for Jessica to be just like anyone her age; the reality, especially this year, has changed not only because of Covid but because Jessica has some new medical and worsening medical conditions that presented themselves, all the while also trying to navigate Covid. This past 1.5 years — since December 2019 to present – Jessica has had 17 ER visits, 5 hospitalizations and 4 surgeries and an incomprehensible amount of CT scans, Mri’s, X-rays, Ultrasounds and lab tests. One can only imagine what everything has cost and it’s hard to not mention the nearly 18,000 miles of wear and tear that we have put on our vehicle, the expenses that we have had taking her to the hospital and medical appointments, and the medical expenses associated with each doctor’s appointment, ER visit, surgery and hospital stay. Due to Jessica’s worsening medical conditions, all her ER visits, hospitals stays, and surgeries and after using up all of my FMLA, I have had to take an additional step back and remain home with her to take care of her medical needs. Since November we have solely been living off of 1 paycheck and savings. Jessica’s monthly medical costs are far exceeding our means at this time and we know that there are additional procedures and surgery(s) this upcoming year, thus the reason we are reaching out. Transplant-related expenses can be overwhelming as can the expenses leading up to transplant to ensure Jessica is in the best medical condition as possible when transplant time comes. When it comes to transplant it isn’t just about her kidney, it is about her overall health to ensure she can receive a transplant and to help ensure the transplant to be successful.

Our family joined with the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA), a national charity based in Bloomington, Indiana, for assistance. COTA’s partnership with Jessica is for her lifetime. COTA services are free of charge, and 100% of funds raised in honor of Jessica assist with transplant-related expenses. Would you please consider visiting https://cota.org/campaigns/COTAforJessicaLynnC to make a one-time or recurring gift? 

If you are in the working field there are many corporations, retail, and transportation industries just to name a few that may match all or a portion of your contribution up to a certain dollar amount. To find out if your company would match your gift and obtain additional information, you can visit https://cota.org/give/matching-gifts/

Thank you for taking time and considering making a donation to COTA in honor of Jessica Cross.