COTA for Justin's Miracle

Our Story

Justin was born with a rare chromosome deletion on 13g, something so uncommon that doctors couldn’t predict what his life would look like. What they did tell us was that his journey would be harder, his challenges bigger, and his victories more meaningful.

And they were right—Justin has spent his entire life proving that he is stronger than every obstacle placed in front of him.

Before he was even born, we learned he had Urinary Reflux Disease, a condition that threatened his kidneys from the very beginning. As a baby, he endured severe UTIs, hospital stays, and a major surgery at just 20 months old. For years, we lived in doctor’s offices and waiting rooms, praying for good news. In 2013, we finally heard the words that felt like a sunrise after a long storm:

“He should live a normal, healthy life.”

And he has. Justin has grown into a joyful, funny, determined young man. He loves gaming, sports, church, and talking with friends. He is now a high school senior, enrolled in the Peoria Unified School District WORKS program through Kellis High School.

He’s excited to work, earn his own money, and build a future he’s proud of.

Then, this March, everything changed with a simple blood test to establish as a new patient with a new primary care doctor. The results came back that Justin was in some sort of renal failure and needed to go to the emergency room.

On March 20th, at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, I heard the words that shook my world:

“Your child is sick.”

Justin is in renal failure. He has Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease, and at just 17 years old, he needs a kidney transplant to survive.

But even now—especially now—Justin is fighting with everything he has. He is strength training, gaining weight, and preparing for the surgery that will give him a second chance at life. His rare chromosome condition makes his fight even more extraordinary, but it also makes his courage shine brighter.

I choose hope every single day. I choose to believe in Justin’s future. I choose to believe that he will graduate, work, laugh, and live the full life he deserves.

We are asking for help from COTA with transplant-related expenses, such as medical bills, travel and lodging costs, and the long recovery ahead. Every donation to COTA for Justin’s Miracle, every share, and every prayer brings us closer to giving Justin the future he has fought for since the day he was born.

Thank you for standing with us. Thank you for believing in our boy. Thank you for helping us hold onto hope.

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.