Lily Grace is 17 years old and in 11th grade.  She enjoys coffee, fashion, hanging out with her friends, and spending time with her pets. Maggie Jo is 14 years old and in 9th grade.  She enjoys hanging out with her friends, taking care of her pets, hunting, and softball. Lily Grace and Maggie Jo were both born with Cystinosis, a rare genetic disease. Cystinosis is caused by a buildup of cystine in the body.  This buildup causes crystals to form, which leads to damage in cells and organs all over the body.

Lily Grace received a kidney from her mom in 2011. It has been 9 years, and both Lily and her kidney are doing well!

In the last year, Maggie Jo’s kidney function has been declining.  It is now time for her to have a kidney transplant.  COTA helped Lily during her transplant and now COTA is going to help Maggie, too, with transplant-related expenses, so we are raising funds again in honor of Team Haynes.

Our family has been honored and humbled by the generosity of so many as we have navigated through many different health issues.  We are so thankful for our wonderful community of supporters.

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.