COTA for Kei'nani's Heart

Our Story

Just a week before my daughter was born, we discovered that she had a rare heart defect. The hospital and the care team I was originally assigned with weren’t equipped to deal with any type of heart defects. Fortunately, we were transferred to Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital where a skilled care team was equipped to provide the specialized care she needed, and we are now witnessing her strength and resilience firsthand. Given the short time to prepare, we are dealing with a lot but remain hopeful and positive. I was told my entire pregnancy my baby is healthy. I was informed my baby needed surgery shortly after her birth to contain her condition. 

On September 2, 2025, my beautiful daughter was born at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital where she received care and treatment, and where she is receiving much love and attention. She was diagnosed with Truncus Arteriosus with Interrupted Aortic Arch. After a couple echocardiograms, an evaluation was done. It was determined that her anatomy was far too complex to be corrected, and going the prosthetic route would mean a lifetime with multiple surgeries and procedures. We still remain very hopeful that soon she’ll be able to undergo her surgery.

On September 10^th, Kei’nani was put on the list for a partial heart transplant. As time goes by, her heart is putting on a lot more work and her valve is putting on a lot more pressure.

On September 17^th, they decided they are wanting to do a full heart transplant due to her worsening condition. We are now waiting to be listed for the full heart transplant. We don’t know when she will receive her heart transplant, we ask that you guys continue to send your love and prayers for her and her family. All donations to COTA in honor of Kei’nani will help with transplant-related expenses, such as the costs of us being closest to our baby while she awaits her transplant, traveling to and from, medical bills, and future medications and therapies due to transplant. We appreciate all of your care.

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.