Before I was born, I knew that I would have a defected heart. Also, I know that I will run the world but first by running my family. Hello, my name is Nathaniel Izaiah Ajeh, but I just usually go by Izaiah. My mother is Ruth, but she goes by Ijeoma and my dad is Ola. I currently have a brother RaShond and my sister RaSha. Even though we all live in different directions I love them as much as they love me. My cousin Latricia and her daughter Mariyana have been by my side since day one. At four weeks old I had my first surgery on my heart which was a pulmonary artery band. Then at seven months I had a glen procedure done on my heart. At this point we thought my heart could be saved. After three trips in and out of the hospital and spending all my time at home with my Aunt Jamila as my nurse, I got really sick during Christmas of 2022 which landed me back into the hospital where they told my mommy and daddy that I needed a new heart … “OH BOY!” were they sad. But guess what: I kept on fighting and flirting with all the nurses and doctors by blowing kisses to all the ladies. Yes, I need a new heart but no it will not stop me. “I am a salvation of God.”

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.