Children's Organ Transplant Association

The Children’s Organ Transplant Association helps children and young adults who need or have had a life-saving transplant by providing fundraising assistance and family support.

COTA’s story actually began in July 1985 when Danny and Suzanne McConnell were told their son, David, had biliary atresia (a disease that affects the liver) and would require a liver transplant to survive. The McConnell’s had no idea how they could pay for such a surgery. When their community learned of their plight, hundreds of people responded. Within a few weeks, this community fundraising initiative raised more than $100,000.

Unfortunately, David died before a liver became available, but in order to help other children in David's situation, family and volunteers founded the Children's Organ Transplant Association.

Today, COTA exists to assist patients who require a life-saving organ, bone marrow, cord blood or stem cell transplant. They work with any patient who needs a transplant due to a genetic disease such as Cystic Fibrosis or Sickle Cell Anemia, and all patients 21 and under for any disease complication. COTA guides the family and their volunteers through every necessary fundraising step, including organizing and training the campaign committee; planning successful events and activities; working with the media; and finding multiple sources of funding.