COTA for Team Tristan

Our Story

Tristan’s journey began before he was born. At our 20-week anatomy ultrasound, doctors noticed that his kidneys were dilated. From that point on, we had ultrasounds every three weeks to monitor him. With each visit, his kidneys continued to grow larger. At 33 weeks, there was still amniotic fluid, which meant Tristan was still making urine, but concerns continued to grow.

Because of the seriousness of his condition, Mommy received steroid shots and plans were made for an early delivery at 37 weeks. During a follow-up appointment, doctors discovered there was no amniotic fluid and that Tristan’s kidneys had worsened. Mommy was flown by helicopter to UCSF in San Francisco, where a team of specialists determined that Tristan had severe Posterior Urethral Valves, also known as PUV. This condition caused major damage to his kidneys, which were no longer functioning properly.

Tristan was born early Sunday morning on October 28, 2024, weighing 7 pounds, 3 ounces and measuring 19 ¼ inches long. Shortly after birth, he was taken for a procedure to relieve an obstruction between his bladder and urethra. He spent the first weeks of his life in the NICU undergoing tests, X-rays, ultrasounds, lab work, surgeries, and constant monitoring.

Doctors hoped his kidneys might recover enough to function, but his creatinine, potassium, and BUN levels continued to show that his kidneys were unable to properly filter waste. In December 2024, Tristan underwent surgery to place a peritoneal dialysis catheter and a G-tube. After healing and additional complications, he began dialysis in January 2025. This became the beginning of a new daily reality for our family.

For months, Tristan remained hospitalized in San Francisco while his Mommy learned how to manage his dialysis, feedings, medications, injections, lab needs, and medical care. Their family faced emotional, physical, and financial strain while trying to stay strong for Tristan and their children at home.

In March 2025, while traveling back to San Francisco to be with Tristan, Mommy was involved in a serious car accident. She was life-flighted to the hospital, underwent multiple surgeries, and began her own long recovery. Even through her injuries, her heart remained focused on getting back to Tristan and keeping their family together.

After nearly six months in the hospital, Tristan was finally discharged home in April 2025. Coming home was a blessing, but it also meant adjusting to a new normal filled with dialysis, appointments, supplies, medications, therapy, and constant monitoring.

In June 2025, Tristan was re-admitted to UCSF after problems with his dialysis catheter. He underwent another surgery to revise the catheter and temporarily needed hemodialysis. After additional procedures and healing, he was able to return home again.

Despite everything he has endured, Tristan continues to grow, smile, and reach milestones in his own time. He has worked on eating, drinking, and strengthening his body through therapy. He loves being with his family, watching Ms. Rachel, chewing on everything, and playing with his doggy, Penelope.

Tristan is now being followed closely by his amazing medical team at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital and has begun the transplant evaluation process. He will continue dialysis until he is big enough and medically ready for a kidney transplant. His family is hoping and praying for a living donor, as doctors have shared that a living donor kidney can give him the best possible outcome.

Tristan’s road has been long and difficult, but he is deeply loved and surrounded by faith, family, prayers, and support. To everyone who has walked alongside us on this journey, we are incredibly thankful and grateful. Your prayers, encouragement, acts of kindness, and support have carried us through some of the most challenging days of our lives.

Throughout every setback, hospitalization, surgery, and uncertainty, we have continued to see God’s hand at work. We have witnessed His provision, His protection, and His presence through the amazing medical teams, our family and friends, and complete strangers who have stepped forward to help.

While Tristan still faces a long road ahead, including ongoing dialysis and the need for a kidney transplant, we remain hopeful. He is a fighter with a beautiful smile, a strong spirit, and a future worth fighting for.

As we continue this journey, we humbly ask for your continued prayers and support. Every donation made to COTA in honor of Team Tristan helps ease the financial burden of transplant-related expenses and allows our family to focus on what matters most—helping Tristan receive the lifesaving care he needs.

Thank you for believing in our son, for standing with our family, and for being part of Tristan’s story. We trust that God has a plan for his life, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for our brave little boy.

Funds raised through COTA in honor of Team Tristan will help with transplant-related expenses as Tristan continues his journey toward a kidney transplant and a healthier future.

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 goes towards 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.