Our Story

Hi, my name is Ian Cooper. I am fifteen years old, and I live in Florida with my parents, Leon and Jennifer, my older sister, Tennile, and my younger brother, Jackson. Two of my older siblings live up north. 

When I was a baby my parents would hear me cry out. They were unsure why, and were trying in many ways to comfort me.

One day, we went for a well care visit with our family doctor. It was frustrating, as I would easily became sick. I had a cough or a fever. I had a chest X-ray every time we went into the emergency room and I never liked that. The doctors would always say it was only a virus and give me Tylenol or Motrin for comfort. 

When our family doctor listened to my heartbeat she said, “It sounded different.” She wanted me to meet with a Pediatric Cardiologist. The Dr. said. “It may be nothing and it was better to check, so that if something was wrong it could be treated sooner rather than later. 

When I was ten months old I was diagnosed with Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Wolff Parkinson’s White. There were a lot of appointments to monitor my heart function and my overall health until I was three years old. During one appointment my Cardiologist noted that something sounded off, and an appointment with my first surgeon was set up. I had my first open heart surgery later that summer. I got pneumonia that next February when I was four. The cold weather temperature dropped and caused me to develop Asthma as well. 

It was decided shortly afterwards that at the end of the school year we’d move from our home in Wisconsin to Florida. We were praying that the more stable weather would lessen my asthma. Thankfully, it did.

More surgeries happened, between the ages of six and fourteen, to help me and my heart to work better. I got my first pacer/defibrillator then a second open heart surgery, to clear an obstruction. A second pacer/defibrillator, a third open heart for a valve replacement and most recently a thoracotomy to place a more advanced pacer/defibrillator, with additional lines to improve my heart function.

I’ve been put on a list for heart transplant for almost a year now. In addition to my many surgeries, I take a lot of medication, most oral and one through a PICC line, and others through a shot while I wait for a donor match. 

My prayer is soon I will have a donor match to help me. I am eagerly waiting for the day to come.

For additional information visit www.COTAforTeamIanC.com.

Team Ian C
Kim Russell
Community Coordinator
(813)774-3904

All proceeds donated go to COTA – Children’s Organ Transplant Association in honor of Team Ian C.