Help Us Support COTA Along Juju’s Kidney Transplant Journey
My name is Pavla Hernandez, and I am the proud mother of Junior Lopez — lovingly known by everyone as “Juju.” ❤️
Juju has been fighting for his life since he was just three months old. In 2011, what started as a simple cold quickly turned into a life-threatening illness. He was diagnosed with Rhino Virus and RSV and was hospitalized at UNC Hospital for five months. During that time, he was placed on a breathing machine and required a G-tube for feeding. For three of those months, we were repeatedly told he might not survive. We were asked to say our goodbyes more than once.
But we never gave up — and neither did Juju. Through prayers, determination, and support from our family, he pulled through. Doctors warned us that if he survived, he might never walk, talk, or understand his surroundings. Thankfully, Juju proved everyone wrong. He became a happy, aware, and loving child. He came home with a tracheostomy and G-tube and required 24-hour nursing care, but he kept progressing.
By the age of three, Juju learned to walk, breathe on his own, and slowly began eating by mouth. Eventually, he was able to have his breathing tube and G-tube removed. It was a huge victory for our family. He was later diagnosed with Developmental Delay Syndrome, but he continued to thrive.
Over the years, Juju remained on medications. In 2019, we received devastating news — he had cysts on his kidney, and his kidney function had dropped to 30%. His kidney was failing. Doctors placed him on medication and closely monitored his condition. By late 2023, when his kidney function dropped to 25%, we decided to place him on the kidney transplant list. He was initially placed on the inactive list.
On July 11, 2024, we received a call that his kidney function had dropped to 23% and he was being moved to the active transplant list. We were told to be ready at any time. The very next day, July 12, 2024, we received another call — they had a very compatible kidney for Juju. We rushed to the hospital, full of hope. Surgery was scheduled for the morning of July 13.
After hours of waiting, the doctor came out with heartbreaking news. They were unable to proceed with the transplant because Juju’s blood vessels were too small for the kidney. Despite years of testing, imaging, MRIs, and evaluations, this issue had not been identified beforehand. Juju underwent surgery and was cut open, only to have the procedure stopped. He was left with a large scar and no transplant.
We later learned that radiology had cleared everything as normal when it wasn’t. This mistake meant Juju went through unnecessary surgery and trauma. We were told he might never qualify for a transplant and could face dialysis for the rest of his life — at just 13 years old.
After further review, we were referred to a specialized transplant team in Boston, Massachusetts — over 12 hours away from our home. This means traveling, extended stays, time away from work, and caring for our other three children, all while preparing emotionally and financially for this journey.
Update – April 1, 2026 🙌
We recently had an appointment in Boston regarding Juju’s transplant. We are now in North Carolina while waiting about a month for him to be placed back on the active transplant list. Once listed, we will return to Boston and remain there until transplant. We are incredibly excited and hopeful — it has been a long four-year journey.
Juju is now in end-stage renal disease with approximately 5% kidney function. Due to complex anatomy and previous complications, his transplant surgery will be highly specialized and complex. The surgical team has explained that he may require removal of one or both of his native kidneys and that the transplant will involve careful reconstruction of his blood vessels. There are risks including bleeding, infection, graft failure, and possible dialysis after surgery, but the team believes transplantation is still feasible.
The expected recovery includes at least one week in the hospital and close monitoring afterward. Despite the challenges, there are currently no absolute contraindications preventing transplantation, and we are moving forward with hope.
How You Can Help
As our family prepares for this life-changing journey, we have partnered with COTA for assistance and are asking for your support. Travel to Boston, lodging, gas, food, time off work, and other transplant-related expenses will place a significant financial burden on our family. I work part-time and care for Juju and my three other children, and COTA will help us focus on what matters most — Juju’s health.
No donation to COTA for Juju is too small. Every contribution helps us get one step closer to giving Juju the life he deserves.
You can donate to COTA for Juju by clicking on the yellow “Support this Campaign” button. You can follow Juju’s journey on this site!
We are incredibly grateful for your prayers, love, and support of COTA for Juju. Please also consider sharing our story to help us reach more people.
Juju has fought his entire life — and he deserves this chance. ❤️🙏
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
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.