COTA for Angelina's Story

Our Story

Angelina turned 11 years old this past June. At her yearly check-up at the pediatrician, she asked why she was short.

Her question led to a bone x-ray and blood work to see if there was anything concerning. Her blood work revealed elevated liver enzymes, so the doctor sent her for an ultrasound. The ultrasound revealed multiple masses on her liver, so her pediatrician sent us to Texas Children’s Hospital downtown Houston to meet with a Hepatologist.

After more blood work and another ultrasound, the Hepatologist sent her for an MRI. The MRI confirmed she had 20-30 masses covering 80 % of her liver with several of great concern. She was diagnosed with Hepatic Adenomatosis – a very rare liver disease especially in children that was caused by a mutation of the HFN1a gene. This is hereditary.

After sadly having to scrap our scheduled 2-week cross-country vacation out of caution for her well-being, we met with doctors on how best to manage this disease and address the acute concern of possible hemorrhaging.

A little over a month from asking why she is short, the surgeon and interdisciplinary team at TCH advised us that she will require a full liver transplant due to the complexity of the masses.

We received a call at 4pm on Friday, November 21, 2025, with an offer of a liver and needed to be in Houston by 8pm to begin to prep for surgery. At 9am on Saturday, November 22, 2025, Angelina went in for a successful 6-hour transplant surgery. The surgeons reported her liver was one of the most gnarliest and largest livers they have removed. Angelina was in ICU for 5 days and then transferred to a floor room where she remained for 9 days. Angelina was released to go home on Friday, December 5, 2025.

Angelina is doing well with her new liver, we named Lola. She is having to make numerous clinic and lab visits, and she is taking a ton of medications. She will not be able to return to school until end of February.

She has been amazing and is so brave!

We ask for your prayers and thank you for your contributions to COTA for Angelina’s Story to assist with a lifetime of transplant-related expenses.  We appreciate all your love and kindness.

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.