COTA for Team Schmidt

Our Story

Hannah & Hudson’s Journey

Our family has spent years living with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a genetic heart disease that has forever changed our lives. Both of our children, Hannah and Hudson, have battled this disease with incredible courage.

Hannah’s journey became critical after she suffered three cardiac arrests. What followed was nine long months living inside the hospital, filled with countless procedures, setbacks, prayers, and hope. Every day was uncertain as we waited for the gift that could save her life.

On October 22, 2024, our miracle arrived. Hannah received the precious gift of a new heart through transplantation. Because of one family’s selfless decision to say “yes” to organ donation during their darkest moment, Hannah was given a second chance at life. Today, she is thriving—back to being a little girl who laughs, plays, goes to school, and dreams about her future. Every heartbeat is a reminder of the incredible gift she has been given.

Our journey, however, is not over.

Hannah’s older brother, Hudson, also lives with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In 2022, Hudson suffered a sudden cardiac arrest that changed his life forever. He underwent a lifesaving septal myectomy and had an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placed to protect him from future dangerous heart rhythms.

Despite everything he has endured, Hudson continues to face advanced heart disease. Today, he is at home waiting for the call that could save his life—a heart transplant.

As a family, we know both the heartbreak of waiting and the incredible blessing that organ donation can bring. We have experienced the fear, the uncertainty, and the overwhelming gratitude that comes with a second chance.

The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) is helping ease the financial burden associated with transplant-related expenses, allowing us to focus on what matters most—keeping our children healthy and together as a family.

Thank you for following our journey, praying for our family, and rallying around both Hannah and Hudson as they continue to fight with courage, hope, and faith. We believe in miracles because we have lived one, and we continue to pray for another.

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.