With the cost of a transplant often exceeding $500,000, many transplant families are unable to shoulder the financial burden of such a procedure.  The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) is a national charity dedicated to organizing and guiding communities in raising funds for transplant-related expenses.  In Pittsburgh, volunteers have raised funds for COTA in honor of transplant patients like local baby, Myka Joy Reeder.

Myka Joy is the daughter of Richie & Regan Reeder and younger sister of Alivia.  Born on January 30, 2015, Myka Joy was diagnosed with Methylmalonic Acidemia and the doctors at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, recommended a pediatric liver transplant in the very near future to lessen the severe complications of her disease.  The Reeders are grateful for donations in excess of $50,000 that has been raised by friends and family.

Myka Joy received her life-changing liver transplant on January 7th, 2017.  Her 2-month hospitalization was filled with many complications and setbacks, but she’s currently on the recovery journey to stable health.