COTA for Evan's Journey

Our Story

 Evan was born with ‘Renal Dysplasia’ (two kidneys, but only one works) the right kidney has cysts throughout, while the left never fully developed. We knew this prior to his birth which resulted in him being born premature and watched in the NICU at the Children’s Hospital at UNC – Chapel Hill, NC. After a week of observation, he was welcomed home.

Fast forward to today, Evan has been able to grow into a strong young boy however, his one cystic kidney is no longer functioning at the capacity needed for him to continue to live a happy and healthy life.  Evan has been placed on the UNC Kidney waiting list with UNOS ‘United Network for Organ Sharing’ to receive a lifesaving kidney transplant.

Our hope for Evan is to forgo any dialysis treatments, and straight to transplant.  A living donor transplant typically lasts longer and has a better outcome, allowing him more time to do the things he truly enjoys the most.  Playing baseball, going to the beach, spending time with family & friends, and just being the fun-loving kid that you all know him to be.

When you start talking about transplant, pre & post doctor visits, travel & lodging, a lifetime of prescription medicines, not to mention all the other misc. expenses, it is very overwhelming. Thanks to COTA we have a way for family, friends, and others to help us along this journey.

If donating a kidney to Evan is something you would like to consider, Steph and I would be happy to tell you more about Evan’s story and explore the process of determining if you are a match for Evan.  You can also contact Evan’s living donor coordinator Amy Woodard. 

Amy Woodard, BSN, RN, CNN, CCTC | Living Donor Coordinator
Kidney Transplant Department
UNC Health 101 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC  27514
p (984) 974-7568 | f (984) 974-0888
amy.woodard@unchealth.unc.edu

To start the process for possible match for Evan- you’re welcome to fill out the online questionnaire: Living Donor online questionnaire. 

For those of you that want to help thru this trying time, please consider a gift to COTA – ‘Children’s Organ Transplant Association’ in honor of Evan.  Your gift will assist with a lifetime of transplant-related expenses.

Thank you for taking the time to read Evan’s story… Steph, Molly, Megan and I, sincerely thank you for all your prayers and support during this trying time.

Love You All!

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.