Arabella, now 14, went to her 11-year-old well care exam expecting to get sports forms completed for school and routine vaccinations. Instead, she was quickly referred to a local nephrologist after blood and urine tests were abnormal. A biopsy revealed that Arabella has collapsing variant FSGS, a rare kidney disease with no cure. From August 2016 through June 2017, doctors tried to achieve remission of her disease. Unfortunately, she experienced a rapid (and again unexpected) decline in her kidney function and in June 2017, her family transferred her care to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Within two weeks, she had a peritoneal dialysis catheter placed and by the end of July, she was on dialysis. Arabella remained on dialysis in her home for 10 hours each night until December 2018, when she received a kidney transplant, donated to her by her mom. She will be on medication and will be closely followed for the rest of her life for her kidney disease and to maximize the life of her transplant. <\/p>\n
Arabella’s family has chosen to work with the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA), which 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. Because of Arabella’s COTA campaign, she will have much needed assistance available to her for the remainder of her life.<\/p>\n
How can you help?<\/p>\n
Please make a donation to COTA today. 100% of each contribution made to COTA in Arabella’s honor helps assist with transplant-related expenses. Gifts to COTA are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.<\/p>\n
Check to see if your employer provides a matching gift, which is often accomplished by you submitting a short form. Matching gifts are an excellent way to increase the power of each individual gift. Click on “see if your company will match your gift” under the GIVE NOW button to learn more.<\/p>\n
Please help spread the word. There is an exponential level of power in friends telling friends and each one contributing even a small amount to COTA in Arabella’s honor.<\/p>\n
Join “Arabella’s Army”—a select group of individuals who will work with our volunteers to reach the goal. To learn more, contact us on Facebook at https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ArabellasArmy\/<\/a>. <\/p>\n As the volunteer group dedicated to this cause, we will be posting upcoming events to help raise funds as well as posting specific updates on Arabella’s progress toward a transplant. Check back for updates!<\/p>\n