COTA for Ka'zia's Heart

Our Story

Ka’zia brims with wonder and an inquisitive spirit, her imagination painting the world in vibrant hues. She thrives amidst the hustle and bustle of her large family. She is literally a firecracker, bright and fierce with a strong resilient nature. Her humor is infectious, booming from her BIG personality. With her irresistible smile and soulful eyes, she is captivating and can connect on a level far beyond her years, like an old soul. She radiates love with her zest for life and heartfelt connections shining through.

Ka’zia’s health took a mysterious turn at the age of four. Her parents, Andréa and Bashu, guided by their sharp parental instincts, tirelessly sought answers for Ka’zia’s escalating symptoms of exhaustion, diminished appetite, and disrupted sleep. Then, just weeks after her fifth birthday, the unthinkable occurred: Ka’zia collapsed at school from severe cardiac heart block. She was rushed to Phoenix Children’s Hospital and, after a harrowing stay, returned home with a newly implanted pacemaker. Diagnosed with Restrictive Cardiomyopathy, a congenital heart defect, she faced the possibility of needing a heart transplant in the future. However, after a tumultuous year of careful monitoring and continuous tests, it became clear that Ka’zia needed a heart transplant immediately. Now listed for transplant, she awaits her new heart in the CVICU, her condition too critical to allow her to wait at home.

Andréa and Bashu are the adoring parents of a blended family of six children. A family firmly rooted in strong faith, love, and gratitude. Their children are bonded siblings through & through, supporting and celebrating their similarities and uniqueness, in a true reflection of their parents’ values and virtues. This family of eight is a glorious combination of intelligence, creativeness, athleticism, humor, and generosity. Energetic stories and laughter ring through their home, as they persevere challenges and rejoice triumphs, along with their large extended family. To date, the most difficult challenge has come via the smallest of packages, their precious youngest daughter Ka’zia’s need for a heart. 

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.