Message from COTA President Rick Lofgren

Dear Friend,

Spring is a time for fresh beginnings. As I look out my window each spring at the beautiful daffodils that sprinkle the landscape of the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) office, I am reminded of the renewal of life. Each yellow flower reminds me of the life that is renewed when one of our patients receives a transplant … and receives a second chance at life.

Throughout the year, you will see and hear the words, "Giving Hope ... Making Miracles" as a way to recognize the work we do, and to acknowledge the support we receive from individuals like you. Over the past year, COTA’s nationwide network of volunteers, transplant professionals and contributors have helped many of our families witness a miracle ... much like spring flowers that shoot through the cold ground to produce incredible beauty.

You are all truly COTA’s Miracle Makers. Your support is literally life-saving to our families. Here is a note from a COTA mother describing how working with our organization has helped her family over the past months as they have worked through the transplant process:

"We see Adam as our little miracle. We went from having a healthy one-year-old to watching him deteriorate to the point of complete heart failure over just a few months. He fought the entire time and experienced strokes and other bumps along the way. But looking at him today, you would never know he spent one day in the hospital."

Amy Trumble, Mother of Adam

Your ongoing support of the work we do is making a difference for hundreds of children like Adam. Over the past 23 years, COTA has assisted more than 1,300 patients, and has helped raise more than $50 million for their transplant-related expenses.

As I look to the future, these comments above are even more touching knowing Adam has many years to continue to grow and thrive now that he has had his heart transplant. We value all you do to help us make the long and often times very difficult journey to transplant as easy as possible. COTA walks that path with each of our families striving to give hope and make miracles. Thanks for choosing to make the journey with us, and with our families.

Happy Spring !

Rick Lofgren, CFRE
President
Children's Organ Transplant Association

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