Teddy was born with Chronic Kidney Disease due to a lower urinary tract obstruction that occurred in utero while he was developing. The blockage was miraculously relieved, but his kidneys were affected and therefore, they are smaller and functioning only at 19%. Teddy has done very well on his own kidney function, which was higher when he was younger, but now at the age of 9 1/2, the time has come for him to have a transplant. The kidney transplant has been planned preemptively in order for him to go into the surgery healthy and strong and avoid dialysis.

Teddy’s parents both do not have the correct blood type to donate one of their kidneys to Teddy so another relative has been tested and will be donating her kidney on March 1st. Teddy’s donor lives in Los Angeles while Teddy and his family live in Chicago. Therefore, she has needed to incur many expenses to make this happen. She has already come out to Chicago three times for various tests, doctor appointments and preparation. For the transplant, she will need to take off work and fly out to Chicago for about 10 days. She will also need to stay downtown close to the hospital and have a caregiver help her as Teddy’s parents will need to be with Teddy.  

Although Teddy’s family has private health insurance, the costs of expenses that go along with everything involved for Teddy and his donor are quite high. Additionally, Teddy’s mom will need to take several weeks off of work and she will not be paid during that time. So the family has partnered with the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) for assistance with transplant-related expenses.

The funds raised for COTA in honor of Teddy will assist with a lifetime of transplant-related expenses. COTA is a non-profit organization and all funds raised are used for transplant-related expenses, such as expenses directly related to Teddy’s health issues and the donor’s expenses. If Teddy encounters any difficulties in his life with his health, needs another transplant, takes time off from work when he is older due to transplant related issues, loses his health insurance, etc., COTA will help him through it.

Thank you for reading and considering a donation to COTA to support Teddy in his journey!

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.