Everything started 1/12/23. After 16 days, 3 hospitals and multiple life-saving procedures Mario was placed on a transplant list. Thank God 2 days later Mario received the gift of a new heart. Since then Mario started his journey to recovery. Along the way Mario has met multiple players from San Diego Padres like #23 Tatis Jr, #11 Darvish, and #15 Pomeranz. While staying at The Ronald McDonald House Mario has met multiple superheroes and volunteers that have cheered him up. CBS 8 San Diego has also followed his story closely and has aired his story multiple times with the latest story being coming back home. Please follow Mario’s journey for the latest updates because there is a lot more to come. Thank you for supporting COTA for Marios Journey.

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.