Shae Veach was born on 11-4-2004. He was born with a congenital heart defect known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) that was diagnosed during a 20-week pregnancy ultrasound. HLHS is the underdevelopment of the left ventricle. After the Ultrasound Shae’s parents were given 3 options, abort the baby, provide comfort care after birth which would have resulted in death within a few days or have a series of 3 open-heart surgeries to reconfigure the heart. Shae’s parents elected for the 3^rd option. Shae was born at the University of Michigan Medical Center (this is why Shae is a U of M fan); this hospital was chosen by Shae’s parents because at the time it was one of the top hospitals in the world to treat this defect. Shae had 3 open-heart surgeries before the age of 4, all at the University of Michigan.

Shae lived a relatively normal life except for not being able to be very active or play sports because of his defect. At the age of 14 Shae’s heart began to fail, he was admitted into Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and it was determined Shae would need a heart transplant. On September 7, 2019, Shae received a new heart and 11 days later was discharged from the hospital. After a period of recovery, Shae was able to be more active and realized he could do much more than he was able to in the past. In 2022 Shae joined the Perry High School Football team to live out his lifelong dream and follow his brother’s footsteps. On September 27^th Shae was taken to the hospital as he hadn’t been feeling well and was progressively getting worse. It was determined his body was rejecting his heart, he was admitted that day and remains in the hospital as of 11-2-2022. Shae is currently on the waiting list for a re-transplant.

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.