COTA for Emily P

Our Story

This past May marked two years since Emily received her life-saving double-lung transplant. Everyone’s donations to her COTA fund during her first transplant allowed COTA to support her through several hospitalizations, treatments, medications, and to live in New York to be close to her doctors. It simply would not have been possible without everyone’s amazing generosity! 

After these two years, all COTA funds raised in honor of Emily are depleted, and due to Emily’s critical condition, she needs another double-lung transplant. We want to express our gratitude to everyone who has reached out and wants to rally around her through this process again. 

We anticipate an out-of-pocket cost of approximately $150,000.

Like Emily’s first transplant, we have partnered with the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) for assistance with transplant-related expenses during this challenge in Emily’s life.

As most of you know, Emily was diagnosed a little over 22 years ago with Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disease affecting the lungs and digestive system. The disease causes abnormally thick mucus, which results in frequent, life-threatening respiratory infections and continued hospitalizations. There is no reversal of the effects or a cure. During June 2022, Emily’s health started to deteriorate, as she was in and out of the hospital with lung function at 20%, and her condition only worsened. After making the NYU Langone transplant team her official doctors, on May 25, 2023, Emily’s family received the call that she would receive her life-saving double-lung transplant.  

Since transplant, Emily’s journey has been full of ups and downs. There were many moments where Emily had the freedom to dive back into activities she loved, such as taking long, outdoor walks without needing oxygen. In time, she was also able to travel and see her extended family again, after needing to remain in New York during the long recovery. Alongside these “wins,” however, she has also battled serious infections such as pneumonia and acute rejection. In April 2025, Emily was officially diagnosed with chronic rejection and had two ports surgically implanted for ECP (extracorporeal photopheresis) treatment to stave off the effects of chronic rejection as long as possible. 

Most recently, Emily has fought pneumonia, MRSA, and pseudomonas on top of dealing with the effects of chronic rejection. Due to the seriousness of her condition, she is hospitalized, needing high-flow oxygen and 24/7 care. She is now officially on the transplant list and will be in the hospital until she receives her transplant. It is a challenge to get through each day, so we are hoping that Emily will get the call for transplant very soon. 

Despite everything, Emily remains positive and determined. She finds comfort in her loving family and friends, is strong in her faith in God, and is facing this adversity head-on, knowing she has the support of so many who champion her.

You can follow Emily on Facebook and Instagram. Look up Lungs for Emily (@lungsforemily) 

Lungs for Emily Instagram

Lungs for Emily Facebook

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.  We thank you for your support, both spiritually and financially, through donations to COTA.

Please keep Emily, her family, and her doctors in your daily prayers.