COTA for Lazarius

Our Story

Lazarius, also known as “Bubba,” brings so much joy and love to everyone around him. You will almost always find him with the biggest smile—one that can brighten anyone’s day.💙

At 15 years old, Lazarius has just started his freshman year of high school. He enjoys going to school, spending time with his friends, playing video games, dancing, and singing. He often talks about wanting to work at McDonald’s one day, although his dream career seems to change from time to time.😊

Around the age of 12, Lazarius was diagnosed with Danon disease, a rare genetic disorder that has caused significant damage to his heart. His diagnosis came unexpectedly, and since then, our entire family has had to learn how to adjust to a new way of life. From our living arrangements and employment to safety, education, mental health, medical care, and everyday routines, so many things have changed.

The beginning of Lazarius’s journey was not easy. There have been difficult days and many unexpected challenges, but through it all, Bubba continues to amaze us. Despite everything he has gone through, he remains happy, patient, and full of love during his many medical appointments. His condition may slow him down sometimes, but it rarely takes away his beautiful spirit.

Lazarius also has an intellectual disability, but that has never stopped his curiosity or his desire to learn and experience new things. He continues to grow, learn, make friends, dream about his future, and find reasons to smile.

Our greatest hope is to watch Lazarius graduate from high school, continue his education, discover the things that make him happy, and have every opportunity to live a rewarding and fulfilling life.

He is deeply loved by his family, friends, and everyone lucky enough to know him. We are so proud of the person he is becoming and cannot wait to see where life takes him.💙

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.