Meet Dougie Harden, a precious and courageous little boy. Dougie turned 3 on December 29, 2017. He was born with Alpha-1-Antitrypsin but was not diagnosed until after his 2nd birthday. His mom Mary has a business, Honest Cleaning and his father Shawn works in Lafayette. Dougie’s 3 siblings are Shane 18, Mariah 15 and little Conner 5. This young family did all they could for Dougie but his health continued to deteriorate until he became a candidate for a liver transplant.
In and out of Riley Children’s hospital for the last 4 months, the wait was a roller coaster of emotions for the family and prayers for a liver became tear-filled with urgency. Mary shared that she knelt by her son’s bed and prayed, not knowing if she would have to give him up. The call saying a liver was available was Dougie’s lifeline.
On March 13, Dougie was matched with a liver, bringing hope and the gift of life to our little man. The next day was a successful surgery and Dougie received his new liver.
We are working as advocates for Dougie and his family to raise funds for COTA in honor of Dougie. COTA stands for Children’s Organ Transplant Association. It is a 501c3 nonprofit, and 100% of all funds raised will assist with transplant-related expenses. COTA provides support to patients and families for a lifetime.
Hospital costs incurred up to the transplant, transplant, medications, transportation, loss of work along with other family needs that occur with being gone are a big deal and overwhelming on top of the emotional load. While Shawn’s work provides insurance, insurance does not cover everything.
Our part is easy, their road is steep. Will you link arms with us to ease their load?
A donation in any amount matters. You matter. And remember 100% of all funds raised will assist with transplant-related expenses.
We have felt it an honor to hold up our hands as advocates for Dougie. Will you join us?
With much gratitude on behalf of the Harden family,
Randy and Lorraine Myer
Jon and Wendy Schwab
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.