COTA for Drew W

Our Story

Prior to January 18, 2018, Drew was living a full life as a 20 year old.  Everything changed on 1/18/18 … he had some leg swelling and was short of breath.  He went to the ER and they discovered blood clots in his left lung, his heart was huge (dilated) and he had an ejection fraction of 5%.  The ejection fraction is how effectively the heart is pumping — normal is about 55-60%.  They diagnosed him with Severe Heart Failure most likely caused by a viral infection that attacked his heart muscle.  He was airlifted to UNC on February 8, 2018.  Once he arrived there, they started their testing and decided to install a LVAD (left ventricular assist device).  He has several complications.  He ended up having 4 heart surgeries and 1 lung surgery.  He was finally released from UNC on April 13th.  Once he heals from all the surgeries, he will be placed on the Heart Transplant list.  

Update:  This past year has held several admissions at UNC and another airlift.  He has faced driveline infections that enterered his bloodstream and constant battles with fluid retention.  As of May 2019, he is listed on the Heart Transplant list so now we are actively waiting for a heart.

We have partnered with COTA to raise money for transplant related expenses for children and young adults like Drew.  They have been so helpful and supportive of our journey.

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.