My son, 10-year-old Aiden Garcia, was diagnosed with very severe aplastic anemia (VSAA) with bone marrow failure on January 27, 2021. This superhero underwent over 30 red blood cell (RBC) and platelet transfusions in a period of four months. He was given a second chance at life on April 15, 2021, because a 10/10 31-year-old male matched donor from Europe donated his healthy cells from his bone marrow. He is now my son’s hero. Aiden was weak, pale, and suffering greatly for almost 5 months. He was engrafted on May 5, 2021, and has been nothing but strong and dedicated to being positive through everything. He’s our soldier. Dad Aiden and I now begin our journey of ups and downs as we start recovery in a hotel near Texas children’s hospital (TCH) in Houston Texas for at least the next 100 days.  Our goal of a cure is still a long way away and can take up to 5 years before we catch a breath of relief. We are grateful for everything the doctors and nurses have done to keep Aiden healthy. We ask for prayers above all and any donation to COTA in honor of Aiden is appreciated as we undergo many more doctors’ appointments and blood transfusions here in Houston three times a week at the outpatient clinic at THC. Many medical bills and lodging bills will accumulate during this time. These are examples of transplant-related expenses that COTA can help us with. Thank you for taking your time to read Aiden’s story. He is strong-minded and will be until his body and energy is back to normal. He never gives up. Please help spread awareness for VSAA.

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.