O was born in Colorado in 2011, and for most of her life, she has been a fighter. Her early childhood was filled with the usual joys—ukulele lessons, Lego competitions, and family trips. But when she was just two years old, a routine checkup led to a life-changing diagnosis: Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a rare and degenerative kidney disease.
For the next decade, O managed her condition with incredible strength. She refused to let FSGS define her, traveling across the country, excelling in school, and embracing life. Still, behind her bright spirit, she constantly battled a strict medication schedule and the toll her illness took on her body.
A First Transplant, a Heartbreaking Setback
In 2024, at age 12, O received a new kidney from her wonderful aunt. Her recovery was remarkable; she was home in just five days and roller-skating in two weeks. It seemed like the start of a new, healthy life.
Tragically, that hope was short-lived. A series of miscommunications and a lack of understanding from her medical team led to her concerns being dismissed. As a result, O’s body rejected the new kidney. For nine grueling months, she fought valiantly, enduring aggressive treatments to try and save it. Ultimately, the kidney failed, leaving O and her family heartbroken and back where they started.
A New Hope, a New Journey
Now 14, O is facing a new chapter in her fight. Her family has found a world-renowned team at Stanford Medicine’s Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. This team is known for their specialized expertise and, most importantly, for their patient-centered approach that genuinely listens to teenagers.
The road ahead is immense. O must leave her school, friends, and home in Colorado to move to Palo Alto for several months. While her family prepares for a second transplant, they are actively searching for a new living donor.
This second transplant is not merely a medical procedure; it is a lifeline. It represents O’s best chance at a healthy future, free from the constant burden of dialysis and the fear of her disease.
How You Can Help
O’s family has always faced challenges with grace and determination, navigating O’s complex medical journey. But now, they’re preparing for the most critical step yet: a life-saving transplant that requires them to travel across the country for specialized care.
This is a new chapter for them, and for the first time, they are inviting others to be a part of O’s future. The costs of travel, lodging, and other essential needs for both O’s donor and a dedicated caregiver are significant. By contributing to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) in O’s name, you can make a meaningful difference. Every donation goes directly to O’s COTA fund, ensuring she has the resources she needs for her transplant and the long road to recovery. Your support isn’t just a gift; it’s a testament to the power of community, providing hope and a path forward for O.
- Make a Donation: Every donation to COTA in honor of O directly helps her family manage transplant-related expenses, such as travel, lodging, and ongoing medical care. All funds are designated solely for O and held in her name by COTA, ensuring she has access to the resources she needs for her health throughout her lifetime.
- Share Her Story: Please share O’s story with your network. The more people who know her story, the greater the chance of finding a compatible living donor.
- Become a Living Donor: If you are inspired by O’s story, read up on becoming a living kidney donor.
Thank you for being part of O’s journey and for helping her get one step closer to the healthy life she so richly deserves.