COTA for Team Chance

Our Story

Chance was born a month early on March 18, 2003, at Women’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was barely six pounds and a full month early. He was diagnosed as dextrocardia with situs inverses, transposition of the great arteries, asplenia and failure to thrive. He was sent to Ochsners Medical Center in New Orleans to have a heart Cath but because of his complex anatomy, he was taken straight to surgery.  As months passed Chance had numerous procedures and heart catheterizations.

Chance developed PLE (protein losing enteropathy) several years later and had to receive injections of Lovenox daily. By the grace of God, he finally triumphed over that. By the age of five he had survived four open-heart surgeries (Glen Fontan) as well as intestinal surgery. Each surgery brought its own set of problems, but he bravely fought to overcome every obstacle in his way.   

While struggling through his own journey Chance has suffered other setbacks, as well.  In 2018, he lost his sister to a tragic car accident. A year later when they were at their closest, he tragically lost his father. And three years ago, he lost his grandmother to cancer.

Chance’s genetic defects are not limited to just him. He also had a brother that passed away from a Congenital Heart Defect 17 years before he was born. Chance’s nephew, Gabriel (12), also has Congenital Heart Defects. He is also treated at Ochsners in New Orleans and he is currently doing well.

At this time, Chance’s heart is failing and he has no other option but to get a complete heart and liver transplant in order to live. He and his mother have relocated to Nashville, Tennessee to wait for a donor heart and liver. They have been there since January 4th of this year. He has moved up from a status 7 to a status 4 on the National Heart Transplant list. While his health hangs in the balance waiting for a new heart and liver, Chance makes the most of each day by doing physical therapy and trying to prepare his body nutritionally for this major surgery.

Chance has such a sweet spirit and a very witty sense of humor. He is a Christian and his faith is great. He is such a brave young man who loves his family. For fun Chance enjoys online gaming, board games, listening to music, traveling and working out.  He is interested in attending a secondary school to specialize in internet technology after he gets his new heart and liver. His dream is to travel to Japan one day, something his health has not allowed him to do in the past.

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. These include but are not limited to housing, food, physical therapy and medication. The cost to relocate and live in a different city while awaiting transplant are great. COTA’s services are free to our families, and gifts to COTA are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.