COTA for Lily's Light

Our Story

We were overjoyed to learn that we were pregnant with our third child, a girl. Our pregnancy was tumultuous with some first trimester bleeding and a subchorionic hematoma. At our 19-week anatomy scan, Lily’s amniotic fluid was low. Our doctor had us come back at 22 weeks only to find that it was even lower. She referred us to UCSF and we drove there the following day. At our appointment, we were told that our Lily had bilateral Multicystic Displastic Kidneys. Her chances of survival were essentially zero. Because of her kidney failure, she would not have enough amniotic fluid to develop her lungs so she would be born with lungs that did not work. She would most likely be born early, deformed, and small. If she survived birth, she would need dialysis and a kidney transplant. Our best option was to terminate. 

We decided that we would fight for our baby’s life and trust that she could survive. She had to reach five and a half pounds to be large enough for dialysis to work. That number haunted us because a premature baby could not be that size. Miraculously, we stayed pregnant for 19 more weeks after diagnosis. Lily was born at 37 weeks and four days with a crash c section. She was six pounds, 11 ounces. She had severe pulmonary hypoplasia, required two chest tubes, nitric oxide, and the oscillator to keep her alive. On her second day of life, she was flown to UCSF. There, they prepared to place a Peritoneal Dialysis catheter as soon as possible. The procedure was a success. 

Lily spent four and a half months in the ICN. She was sent home on Peritoneal Dialysis, a feeding tube, and oxygen for the nighttime. After discharge, she returned to the hospital for six more stays, some long and some short. She has had five surgeries in her life and is preparing for the most important one of all: her kidney transplant. 

Lily’s mom is her match. Once Lily reaches the right size, the family will prepare for kidney transplant. Their friends and family will help care for the older two kids while Britney and Lily recover. 

Lily’s life has been a testament to the love and grit it takes to fight for a sick child. Your support to COTA for Lily’s Light is continuing that fight. 

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.