My name is Zoe, and I live with a rare medical condition, called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. It is a birth defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart. The left side of the heart does not form, and because of that it does not beat correctly. My biological mother was told that I would die at birth, and that if I did survive I would not live to see my 2nd birthday. She did the best she could to take care of me, but I was placed into foster care.

Zoe received over a dozen surgeries and procedures to redirect oxygen and blood throughout her body. She is a fighter; science and the world told her countless times to give up. Zoe was paired a medial foster family, called the Zorns, at the age of 10 months old only weighing 10 pounds. Doctors and the State cautioned her new family that she would not live to her second birthday. We dedicated ourselves to her health. Most foster children are moved multiple times through out their lives. We decided to fight for Zoe and beat the medical odds.

Progress was measured slowly and in side steps, but each year Zoe fought harder and became stronger. We cheered each time a milestone was reached. Now as a young adult, Zoe is passionate about animals’ rights, anti bully campaigns, Christian youth groups, and drawing. She loves NCIS, BONES and anime tv shows. She and her foster family worked with medical teams in Portland, Oregon to maintain Zoe’s health. A pacemaker and internal defibrillator were installed.

But after 20 years, doctors determined Zoe was strong enough and a good candidate for a heart transplant. Her unique physiology required the expert treatment from the transplant team at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto, California. Leaving the State of Oregon has created more challenges for the foster family and Zoe. Her foster mom Carol has to live down in California with Zoe for the entire recovery period. The rest of her family remains in Oregon waiting nervously for their return.

Please Join Zoe’s Journey as she fights each day.

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.