With the cost of a transplant often exceeding $500,000, many transplant families are unable to shoulder the financial burden of such a procedure.  The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) is a national charity dedicated to organizing and guiding communities in raising funds for transplant-related expenses.  In Arnold, volunteers are raising funds for COTA in honor of transplant patients like local boy, Jackson Hodge. 

Jackson is the son of Angela Hodge and Garrick Hodge.  Born on November 1, 2012, Jackson was diagnosed with PFIC Type 1.  The doctors at Children’s Hospital of St. Louis in Missouri have recommended a life-saving liver transplant.  An estimated $75,000 is being raised by Arnold volunteers.

***UPDATE:  Jackson received his liver transplant on July 23, 2015.  You can read more about his journey in the blog entries.***