Our story started almost fourteen years ago. On March 24, 2012, Madison introduced herself to the world. Maddie was (and is) perfect, the light of our lives. Two days after birth Maddie was rushed to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital to have abdominal surgery to fix a meconium ileus. That was a very scary and uncertain time for us. After the surgery Maddie was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. Maddie has thrived despite her diagnosis. A few bumps in the road, but Maddie is an overall healthy, well adjusted young lady. She is funny and silly. She loves music, art, and drama. She is exactly the daughter that every parent would dream of having. An unfortunate reality of many CF kids is the progression of CF liver disease. This is where the liver becomes rigid, and blood flow becomes restricted. There is no way to overcome CF liver disease medically. The only treatment is a liver transplant. This is the position that we find ourselves in. Maddie needs a new liver. Her prognosis with a new liver is extremely positive and the chance that she gets to have a great long life will become more of a reality with this procedure. As a parent, this reality leaves us feeling helpless. Not able to do the one thing that we are supposed to do: take care of our little girl. For Maddie, it is a big procedure with lifelong maintenance. Hurdles both mentally and physically. Maddie is strong and practical, and I know that she is tougher than her current reality. The demands of this type of procedure do not stop at the physical. There will be lifelong financial demands. Medications, checkups, and many other new aspects of life that we are not currently prepared for. Your generosity through donating to COTA for Maddie will assist with transplant-related expenses and her journey towards a great long life. Thank you for your support of COTA for Maddie. Her future is extremely bright.

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.