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.

     One such child that (COTA) is helping is Mesa Orth.  Mesa was adopted by her parents, Kelly and Kenny in July 2004 from Guangdong China; She turned 1 just 1 week after arriving home. Mesa is a sweet girl, full of smiles that blossomed into an intelligent, thoughtful teenager as well as a talented artist.  On Dec 12, 2018 Mesa and her family’s world was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).  

     She had been feeling weak, dizzy, had aching joints, a decreased appetite and low hemoglobin.  It was thought she was having gastrointestinal issues and she was scheduled for an exploratory procedure. In preparation for this, she needed lab work done; the next day her family received the call that they needed to go to the emergency room right away because there were “abnormal cells”.  Within hours they were led to the cancer floor where Mesa would spend upcoming months of her life battling this disease.  

     Presently, Mesa has been in the hospital for stints of 37 days, 29 days, and now her 3rd hospitalization going on 3 weeks now and counting. Because Mesa did not achieve remission on her first round of chemo, she must have a bone marrow transplant for the best prognosis. Luckily, 3 potential donors have been identified; however, it must be determined if they are still willing and able to participate and then they must undergo additional testing to determine if they are indeed a good match. Presently there is 1 donor that has scheduled their testing; it is an excruciating experience to wait to find out if a donor can be found to heal your child.

     Mesa and her family are hoping that one of these donors will be a match so Mesa can go into transplant shortly after this hospitalization.  The transplantation process will require her to be hospitalized for another 60-75 days; if we do not have donors available immediately, she will go through one more round of chemo while awaiting transplant.  Once transplantation is complete, Mesa will be required to stay with a Parent at a Ronald McDonald house location for about 3 months because her family lives outside the 30-mile radius maximum required by the transplant hospital because her health will be in a very delicate condition. If all goes well Mesa will be in the hospital more than 150 days. 

     So, here is where you can help.  Please donate anything you can to help with the crushing financial burdens that families like Mesa’s endure.  Every dollar will help.  Please make a donation today, no matter how small.  Please use this webpage to donate (COTA) in honor of Mesa.

Thank you in Advance, God Bless