Jessica is 25 years old and is facing a double lung transplant.
When Jessica was only 2 days old, she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF). Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disorder that affects the lungs and the gastrointestinal tract. A genetic defect causes the body to produce thick and sticky mucus, digestive juices, sweat and saliva that build up and interfere with the functions of the lungs and the pancreas. There is no cure for CF, but a double lung transplant enhances a CF patient’s life by greatly decreasing breathing difficulties related to the disease.
Jessica takes enzymes with every meal and does daily nebulizer treatments. She has been hospitalized many times for lung infections over the years but despite that, she has lived a fairly normal life. Over time, her lung function has significantly decreased and she has continued to steadily decline. Because of this, she has been told by her doctors that she is approaching the stage in her disease that a double lung transplant will be necessary.
Even with medical insurance, the costs associated with transplant are enormous and life long. Jessica has chosen to partner with COTA to raise the funds to assist with transplant-related expenses.
We appreciate your help!
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.