COTA for Trace's Heart

Our Story

This is Trace. He was Born with a severe Congenital Heart Defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)that was unknown until his birth. Trace is the second born son with 2 younger siblings. He is the one of the bunch who is quick and witty with all his retained unique knowledge. He also has a laugh that can make anyone smile from rooms away.

       At only a few hours old, he underwent his first heart procedure and then had his first life-saving open-heart surgery at just 7 days old. He has since been through many more procedures and also 3 more open-heart surgeries by the age of 3.  During his 4th open heart surgery, he also endured a stroke. As much as these surgeries have helped his little heart thrive, they have also caused stress on his liver. He is currently battling PLE (protein losing endoropathy). This alone has had him in and out of the hospital a lot and just not feeling himself in general.

         In 2022, we were told we were going to be referred to a transplant center almost 4 hours away as a last hope to turn Trace’s downhill rollercoaster around. So, with a few times testing and seeing a whole transplant team, they are now thinking the time is right to make this life-altering decision to replace Trace’s heart.

        So, now here we are, at 17 years old, getting close to finishing high school and have made it past all expectations given at birth, and heading with his 3 siblings and mom to prepare to be able to receive his blessing of life – a new heart. A journey which we were told at birth that he would most likely have to have when his little heart he was born with gets tired.

As Trace and his family prepare for his miracle, they have asked COTA for assistance. Funds are being raised for COTA for Trace’s Heart to assist with a lifetime of transplant-related expenses. Your big-hearted generosity, whether through a donation to COTA for Trace’s Heart or by sharing his journey, will help Trace have a chance at a new beginning that he’s never felt before and live a long healthier life.

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.