Our Story

Sofia’s Journey to a New Heart

“Sometimes superheroes reside in the hearts of small children fighting big battles”

On behalf of Dragan and Ivana Sabljic, we are raising money for COTA to help with transplant-related expenses in honor of their beautiful 1 year old daughter, Sofia. Sofia was a happy and healthy baby until she suddenly got sick at the end of July.

Sofia was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart’s ability to pump blood is decreased because the heart’s main pumping chamber, left ventricle, is enlarged and weakened. Currently, she is at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital, where she is under the constant care of doctors and nurses. Sofia’s condition required her to have an open-heart surgery to implant the Berlin machine that is acting as her heart to pump blood to her brain and body. Sofia is to remain in the hospital until she receives a heart transplant. She was placed on the transplant list on the 18^th of August and now we await a new heart.

As you can imagine, the financial burden on Dragan and Ivana is profound, even with medical insurance, and there is a long road ahead for Sofia. This is why the family has partnered with the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) for assistance. We understand this is a difficult time for many families, but please consider making a donation to help COTA for Sofia. Any amount would be greatly appreciated. If you are unable to monetarily contribute, please send positive thoughts and prayers to their family.

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.