COTA for Gavin's Fight

Our Story

Gavin’s story began with strength.

He was born at just 30 weeks, weighing only 3 pounds, and spent four long months in the NICU at UNC Children’s Hospital. When he was born, Gavin needed oxygen and a feeding tube, but before long, he was able to be weaned from both. Even in those earliest days, he showed us just how strong he was. That’s when #GavinStrong truly began.

At only 6 days old, Gavin underwent major brain surgery after being born with hydrocephalus and had a VP shunt placed. His medical journey continued, and at 6 months old, he underwent cranial surgery. As a result of the complications he has faced, Gavin also developed epilepsy seizures.

When Gavin was 5 years old, he was hospitalized with the flu. During that hospitalization, doctors discovered another serious health condition: nephrotic syndrome. They initially treated Gavin with steroids in hopes of putting the disease into remission, but unfortunately, his body did not respond to treatment. Further testing and a kidney biopsy led to a diagnosis of FSGS nephrotic syndrome, and we learned that both of Gavin’s kidneys had significant scarring.

We were then given news no parent ever wants to hear: one day, our son would need a kidney transplant.

As parents, we were devastated. No parent wants to watch their child endure so much or be told that their child will eventually need an organ transplant. We found an incredible team at Duke, where Gavin is followed closely by his nephrologist and other specialists.

In 2025, Gavin began experiencing extremely high and difficult-to-control blood pressure. He was admitted to Duke Children’s Hospital for a little over a month while his doctors worked tirelessly to find the right combination of medications to stabilize him. Since then, his kidney function has continued to decline.

A few months ago, we received the news we had always hoped would remain far in the future: Gavin’s need for a kidney transplant is now becoming sooner rather than later.

As parents of three children, all we want is for our son to have the opportunity like our other children to live a long, happy, and healthy life.

Since the day he was born, Gavin has known more medications, IVs, blood draws, blood pressure checks, hospital stays, procedures, and doctor appointments than any child should ever have to experience. Yet through all of it, he still never complains. He continues to face each challenge with a strength that amazes us every single day.

Gavin truly is one of the strongest people I have ever known, and I am incredibly proud to be his mother.

He is full of joy. He loves deeply, has the biggest heart, and is a friend to everyone he meets. He is an incredible son, brother, and friend. More than anything, I want him to know what it feels like to simply be a kid—to feel healthy, take fewer medications, grow up, and experience all the things life has waiting for him.

When the time comes for Gavin’s kidney transplant, I will need to be by his side throughout his hospitalization and recovery, which will mean being unable to work during that time. Our family is preparing for an incredibly difficult season, and we are humbly asking those who feel led to help to rally around our family. We don’t know what the road ahead will look like, but we know we will not walk it alone. We believe in the power of prayer. We believe in faith. We believe that God is still writing Gavin’s story, and we pray that his greatest chapters are still ahead of him. Whether that support comes through a donation to COTA for Gavin’s Fight, sharing Gavin’s story, offering a prayer, or simply sending hope and encouragement our way, it means more to our family than we could ever adequately express.

We have walked this journey with faith, hope, and an incredibly strong little boy leading the way. We will continue to stand beside him through every appointment, every procedure, every difficult day, and every victory.

Thank you for loving our son, praying for our family, and helping us continue to believe in brighter and healthier days ahead for Gavin.

Forever and always, we will be #GavinStrong.

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.