Meet Emma

Emma is a sweet, loving 16-year-old that is currently facing one of the biggest challenges of her life – a kidney transplant.

Her journey began when she was just 2 years old after contracting E Coli and developing Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) causing severe kidney damage. She spent months in the hospital undergoing peritoneal dialysis. At the time the doctors warned us that although her kidneys were functioning, they likely would not be able to keep up once she reached puberty and would eventually require a transplant. 

That time has now come. Emma’s kidney function is at 24% and she is currently considered stage 4 kidney disease. Once she reaches 20%, she will be placed on active status for a transplant. Over the past 14 years, Emma has endured countless doctors’ appointments, medication’s, blood draws, tests, and strict renal diets – something that is difficult for anyone, especially a teenager.

Despite everything she has faced, Emma continues to show incredible strength and resilience.

She is a member of her higher school’s Varsity wrestling team and loves the sport, but recently she has had to step away because her declining kidney function causes extreme fatigue. While she has handled this journey like a champion, it has been emotionally difficult. At just 16 years old, she is trying to process a reality that most adults would struggle to face, all while wanting to live a normal teenage life. 

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.