COTA for Makua

Our Story

Makua is a young vibrant child with a pure soul, full of resilience, aged 16 yrs old. Makua was diagnosed with sickle cell at birth. She went back to Africa at age 3 and received her primary and secondary education in Africa. Makua has had several bone crises- a condition she once likened to a house burning down on fire. Her family had an unfortunate fire incidence that completely razed down their family house in Africa and Makua described the house burn as similar to what her body experiences during her sickle cell crises. Makua has had to bear this for 16 years of her life.

Two years ago, she was diagnosed with Avascular Necrosis of the hip and she underwent hip replacement surgery. The Avascular Necrosis is a condition caused by sickled cells. It was in the course of undergoing this surgery that we began to discuss the possibility of Bone Marrow Transplant. Today, Makua is undergoing various evaluations preparatory for the transplant. The transplant journey and the associated costs are huge and daunting. But we are left no choice as not getting the transplant will lead to more organ damage by the sickle cell like the Avascro necrosis of the hip. We are hopeful that Makua will get the transplant and pursue her dream of becoming a medical doctor to help people in her position.  

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.