Raphael is a happy baby boy who loves music and laughing. He is just a ray of sunshine with a big smile from ear to ear. He goes by the names Raffi, Mr. Bunda and tons more. He loves spending time with his sister Amelia, it’s just a delight to watch them interact. Looking at Raphael you see nothing more than a healthy baby boy transitioning into a toddler. He celebrated his first birthday on December 30th with family and everyone near and dear to him and life was perfect. But things were about to drastically change. On January 11th while Raphael’s mother was at work and he was at home with his father, grandmother, and big sister, Raphael lost consciousness. This terrified his dad, but he was able to revive him. His father immediately called Raphael’s mother on the phone and was told to call 911. He was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital and was transferred to Cohen Children’s Hospital and Finally transferred once more to New York Presbyterian Children’s Hospital. Something was terribly wrong with Raphael. This process rocked his parents to the core; they later learned they little Raphael’s heart was failing. After undergoing a series of tests and two procedures, Raphael was diagnosed with restrictive cardiomyopathy with diastolic functions. The pressure in Raphael’s heart was so high that he was immediately listed for a heart transplant. To make things even worse he would not be able to leave the hospital until post-transplant. This whole process has turned his family’s life upside down, unable to see his sister, and his mother hasn’t left his side since. We are grateful to loving staff at New York Presbyterian, from the nurses, nurses aid, doctors, technicians and custodial team, no place we’d rather be.

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.