COTA for Team Mary A

Our Story

Hello Friends and Family! I have Cystic Fibrosis. CF is a hereditary disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. The body produces thick and sticky mucus that can clog the lungs and obstruct the pancreas. It can be life-threatening, and people with the condition tend to have a shorter-than-normal life span. At the age of 32 I gave up my career to focus on my health in January 2019. Luckily, in about 7 months time, I received my life-saving double lung transplant on July 28th, 2019 after having 2 dry runs. I spent 30 days in the hospital recovering, another 3 months going to daily pulmonary rehab, and a long recovery at home.

I’ve chosen to enlist the help of the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) during my transplant journey (before, during, and recovery for years following). COTA (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.