Our Story

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 Norcross, volunteers are raising funds for COTA in honor of transplant patients like local woman, Vonchelle Knight. 

Born in 1968, Vonchelle was diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease.  The doctors at Piedmont Transplant Institute in Atlanta, Georgia, have recommended a life-saving kidney transplant.  An estimated $15,000 is being raised by Norcross volunteers.

As of September 1, 2016, Vonchelle has been on the UNOS transplant list for 6 years waiting on an “O” blood type kidney donor.  She suffers with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) and is currently on dialysis.  Her transplant team has decided that it is time to remove her native kidneys because they are too large for her to receive a new kidney.  Vonchelle’s next surgery will be in November of 2016 and her recovery time will be 2 to 3 months.  During her recovery she will keep us updated on her progress through the blog on the COTA campaign page.

Vonchelle has teamed up with the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) to assist in raising funds for transplant-related expenses.  Volunteers are coordinating fundraising events for donations to COTA in honor of Vonchelle Knight. 

TeamChelleK will be spreading the word to the community on how to participate in the kidney pair exchange program to help find more living kidney donors for transplant patients like Vonchelle through local events.  If you have interest in being a living donor for Vonchelle please contact LeAnn Whitehead, RN, Donor Coordinator, 404-605-4605.

Please click on GIVE NOW to make a contribution or check out the next scheduled event for fundraisers for the month.