COTA for Pau

Our Story

Hi! My name is Pau (pow), and this is me. I’m currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Sports Business at ASU (Go Devils!). My goal is to get my foot in the door of the sports marketing world and eventually bounce around within the industry to explore all it has to offer. I love catching up on films, and of course spending time with my pets – they truly keep me sane. 

In 2017, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. After months of doctor appointments, it took one visit to the emergency room to discover that my body was attacking its own healthy red blood cells. My family calls me their “little vampire.” Since then, I’ve spent the last eight years trying to live as normal a life as possible. The truth is, “normal” looks different for me, and I’ve learned that’s okay. 

I’ve often been told that I downplay my condition. Sometimes that feels like the easiest option, especially when I don’t want pity to shape how others see me. Living with this condition has meant missing out on friendships, extracurricular activities, and the simple comfort of just living. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I realized I could take control of the trauma this experience has caused instead of letting it control me. 

Over the last couple of years, I’ve experienced flares that have progressively worsened, putting more and more strain on my body. There is only so much my body can handle, and my doctors have finally urged me to undergo a stem cell transplant in hopes of resetting my immune system entirely. This is something I’ve put off for years because of the fear of infertility. However, the fear of missing out on living my own life has become greater. 

My condition has taught me resilience and perspective. It has taught me to live with an open mind. Though it has shaped me, it does not define me, and I refuse to let it place limitations on my goals and aspirations. 

I am someone who speaks things into existence, and when this transplant is successful, I will be able to live a normal life, one where I don’t have to worry every time I get a stuffy nose. COTA has allowed me to go through this process with the hope of reducing my family’s financial stress. Thank you to anyone who has taken the time to read my story. Your support and contributions to COTA in my honor mean more than you know to me and my family. <3

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.