Hello!

As always, we appreciate your love and prayers for Araeya! It means so much to us that you are even interested enough to keep viewing her page!

During our discussion with the hospital social worker, she asked if we had started any type of fundraising to help support us during the transplant. We told her no, as we feel we have been very blessed financially. She urged us to reconsider, and explained how things like fuel, meals at the hospital, and parking would add up very quickly over the next few months. She went on to explain how these expenses would be on top of our normal daily expenses. She also offered that it provides a way for others to help when they may not be able to otherwise.

So, we have decided to partner with the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) for assistance. Please know, we do NOT expect anyone to donate to COTA for Rae! More than anything, we greatly appreciate your prayers, emotional support, and encouragement!

Here is why we have decided to partner with COTA for fundraising: Every dollar donated goes to COTA in honor of Araeya to help cover transplant-related expenses. Additionally, COTA is a 501(c)3 organization, so your donations to COTA for Rae are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Even better, in some cases, employers may match your donations. While that is all great, what we like best about it is the high level of accountability.

COTA does not just issue funds directly into our account. We have to show proof that the expense was transplant-related. For example, they will cover our monthly parking pass, but we have to submit a receipt showing the dates that match her hospitalization and that the purchase was done through the hospital. For meals, they will only cover for Araeya and immediate family. Again, we will have to submit a receipt before receiving COTA funds. We will not be getting rich, or going on extravagant vacations from your donations to COTA for Rae … as nice as that would be! 🙂

Additionally, if any COTA funds raised in honor of Rae are not used during her transplant and recovery, COTA funds will remain available to assist Rae with transplant-related expenses for her lifetime. So, they will be able to cover her transplant co-pays/deductibles as she gets older. What a blessing that could be for her!

Thank you for all you do to care for Araeya!

#COTAHope