COTA Toddler Gabriel Broghammer Celebrates His
One-Year Transplant Anniversary
January is a special month for the Broghammer family of Rapid City, South Dakota. It was on January 9, 2008, that Gabriel Broghammer received a new kidney, and a second chance at life, from his daddy. Today this rambunctious two-year-old is full of energy, keeping his parents, Don and Christine Broghammer, very busy. However, that hasn't always been the case.
At birth, Gabriel was diagnosed with kidney failure; he spent his first six weeks of life in the hospital. When he was only a few days old, Don and Christine were told by doctors that their precious baby boy would likely not survive. In fact, he was given less than a five percent chance of living.
Gabriel's first year of life included weeks in the hospital, feeding tubes, large quantities of medicines, four surgeries and an immense amount of stress and sorrow for his parents. It was during this time that the Broghammer's friends and family members reached out to the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) because they wanted to help with the financial issues the family was facing.
According to Christine, “COTA means our son has a future. We were so worried about having financial problems in the future due to the transplant bills and prescription expenses. Since COTA started working with us and our team of volunteers, we are able to pay the bills for Gabriel's transplant-related expenses. Because of COTA's help and Don's donation of a kidney, our son has a fresh start.”
Christine recalls her post-transplant days in the hospital trying to care for her son and husband, and thinking how many books are available about parenthood. But she realized that very few books address life in the ICU or handling feeding tubes or constant conversations with doctors. COTA became a very valuable support system during these challenging days, and helped guide Christine and her family through unfamiliar territory.
“COTA provided a website for Gabriel, which allowed our friends and family to keep track of our progress throughout the transplant. This website communication gave us immense support during the transplant, and it gave us hope for the future,” said Don.
Gabriel's first year following his kidney transplant has gone well. According to his parents, now that he is off daily dialysis, he isn't sick as frequently and is eating on his own. A major milestone for the Broghammers came in February 2008 when Gabriel took his first steps.
According to Christine, “he has been running ever since.” The Broghammers have
enjoyed a year of outside activities, including biking and hiking in the beautiful South Dakota countryside.
“We so appreciate all of the love and support we have received this year from our friends and family members, and from COTA,” said Christine. “With COTA's assistance, the financial burden that was weighing on our shoulders has definitely been lifted. We can relax, enjoy each other and celebrate the miracle we have received. Thank you, COTA, for not only helping us, but for helping so many other transplant families who are in need.”
Today, Gabriel is a happy toddler who grins from ear-to-ear. According to his parents, he is strong and brave … he is their miracle child.
Please visit www.COTAforGabrielB.com and leave the Broghammers your own message of encouragement, or make a donation to help with Gabriel's ongoing transplant-related expenses.
With all charitable gifts valued at $250 or more, you need to have a contemporaneous receipt from the organization (such as COTA) stating the date of the gift, its description, and whether you received any goods or services in exchange for the gift. You do not need to send this receipt to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), but you do need to have it at the time you send in your income tax return.
In general, you should have a copy of the gift agreement in your files, whether it is a trust, a gift annuity or anything else. This document tells you the terms of the gift. COTA, or your advisor, will also provide a calculation that shows you how much you are able to deduct from your income taxes. A copy of the calculation should be sent to the IRS with your tax return. If you carry forward a portion of the income tax deduction because you cannot use it all in the year you made the gift, you should keep a record of each year's deduction as well.
If you make a gift of property valued at more than $500, you need to also send the IRS Form 8283. If you want to deduct more than $5,000 for your gift, you need to obtain a qualified appraisal.
Each year you will receive tax statements informing you how much income you received from your gift during the year and how it is taxed. Keeping these forms is vital in the event you are ever audited by the IRS.
If you have any questions about making charitable gifts to COTA, please call Rick Lofgren at 800.366.2682, or email him at
Happy New Year!
Want to Help Make a Miracle? Simply go to www.cota.org
“Marc, I wish you and your brother the best of luck and a healthy recovery. We made a donation in your honor in replacement of favors for our wedding. Good luck and many blessings to the both of you.” - COTA online Guestbook entry -- COTA patients, Marc and Sam S.
“There was a card from Mr. Lee's class. The first one I opened and it read, “BELIEVE IN YOURSELF” with a heart and wings. That one was special to me, so I hung it on my bulletin board and look at it all the time. THANKS”
- COTA online Blog entry -- COTA patient Alexandra C
The Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) provides a customizable website to each patient at the onset of a fundraising campaign. These patient websites are designed to assist the campaign in raising dollars, and raising awareness, for the COTA patient. Entries like these noted above are actual examples of the communication taking place on COTA patient websites.
In addition to the Blog and Guestbook features, COTA sites send Email Alerts to keep supporters informed when a family updates their Blog, or adds a Photo or Video Album that captures a moment in their child's transplant journey. In addition, COTA patient websites are equipped with a one- click, online Donation option that allows a website visitor to learn if his or her company will make a matching gift to the COTA patient's campaign.
Please visit COTA's patient websites often. It is important to note that COTA patients have an online Donation Page before, during and after the completion of their fundraising campaign. This feature allows gifts in honor of a COTA patient to be made long after the completion of formal fundraising, which allows for donors to assist with our patients' ongoing transplant-related expenses.
Please visit www.cota.org and go to the Make a Miracle header. There, you can simply choose a link that matches how you want to help. When specifically looking for a COTA patient, you can search by the patient's location, type of transplant, first or last name.
Whether you leave a message in a patient's online Guestbook, make a donation to a COTA patient's campaign, host a COTA Saturday event, or donate the proceeds from an activity your group, business, or club sponsors … COTA is pleased to announce that your ‘search' to make a difference is now even easier.
If you need assistance finding out how you can help COTA give hope and make miracles, simply call 800.366.2682 or email your question to
The McConnell Society was created in 1999 to recognize those forward-thinking individuals who have remembered the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) in their estate planning. This society, which is featured on www.cota.org, is named in memory of COTA's first patient, David McConnell. Recently, COTA unveiled a new website with a variety of new tools and resources for patients, their families, volunteers and supporters -- also known as COTA's Miracle Makers.
Good planning requires good information. By visiting COTA's website, you can become a Miracle Maker and find helpful estate planning information to assist you in creating the plan that is right for you. Shifting property values, investment volatility, various types of life insurance, as well as changing tax laws, require careful planning for the future.
Without a plan that is right for you, an unnecessary amount of your assets may go to state and federal governments in taxes. Your remaining assets may go to individuals other than those loved ones you would prefer to benefit. The guardianship of minor children may be left for the laws of the state to determine.
COTA's new website maintains up-to-date gift planning information. Please visit www.cota.org to find valuable information including weekly articles on estate planning alternatives including:
Savvy Senior Column to learn the latest information you need to make decision about Medicare, prescription drugs, Social Security and your investment accounts.
Gift Planning Strategies including actual stories of donors who received tax
benefits by making charitable gifts. Learn how your gift can benefit COTA, as well as your family.
Personal Web Presentations that allow you to customize your information to
show tax benefits, income and so you can establish the best gift for your
individual situation.
Washington Hotline to read about changes in our nation's capital that could affect your financial future.
Financial Update to learn about the impact of the market on your finances.
To learn more about maximizing your contribution to COTA while at the same time providing a direct benefit to you and your family, please go to www.cota.org, and select “Make A Miracle” to visit the planned and estate giving area of the website here.
If you would like to join COTA's McConnell Society, please contact Rick Lofgren at 800.366.2682 or
The Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) provides: Extensive Volunteer Training Program
Few families know how to organize and lead a fundraising campaign, but the Children's Organ Transplant Association does. With more than 20 years of experience organizing volunteers in every state, working with thousands of families and their volunteers, and raising millions of dollars, COTA has the expertise to help volunteers be successful. From the family's first telephone call and throughout the fundraising process, COTA provides ongoing support to the volunteers and the patient's family.
Christine recalls her post-transplant days in the hospital trying to care for her son and husband, and thinking how many books are available about parenthood. But she realized that very few books address life in the ICU or handling feeding tubes or constant conversations with doctors. COTA became a very valuable support system during these challenging days, and helped guide Christine and her family through unfamiliar territory. 
With all charitable gifts valued at $250 or more, you need to have a contemporaneous receipt from the organization (such as COTA) stating the date of the gift, its description, and whether you received any goods or services in exchange for the gift. You do not need to send this receipt to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), but you do need to have it at the time you send in your income tax return. 
The McConnell Society was created in 1999 to recognize those forward-thinking individuals who have remembered the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) in their estate planning. This society, which is featured on 
