Molly Ouimet (born in 2003) and Matthew Ouimet (born in 2011) were both born with a rare genetic disease called Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 1. There is currently no treatment or cure. Matthew went into end stage renal failure when he was 5 months old. He needed hemodialysis 6 days a week and peritoneal dialysis 7 days a week for 2 years before he received a liver and kidney transplant when he was 2 1/2 Year’s old. He had a lot of struggles after his transplant in 2013, but he has been mostly stable. His kidney is having some complications and he will eventually need another kidney, but we hope this one will last another couple of years.

Molly’s health is declining and she is approaching the need for a double transplant.  We have transferred her care to UCSF children’s hospital and she has been listed (inactive) for a kidney with UNOS. We are exploring possible clinical trials and participating in patient workshops around the country to find the latest information and research regarding this disease and possible treatment options for her. We get monthly labs and tests to monitor her and hope we can find treatment other than dialysis or transplant. It feels like a race against time. 

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.