Family Spotlight

The Best Mother’s Day Gift … A Daughter’s Second Chance At Life

Hayley Resk was born on June 2, 1993. Hayley was a very healthy infant and toddler. However, just after her third birthday she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis following a prolonged episode of diarrhea and weight loss. At the age of four, Hayley was hospitalized with severe anemia, and by the time she was six, she had her spleen removed to control ongoing anemia. In 1999 Hayley was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) -- a chronic liver disease that causes fibrosis and blockage of the bile ducts. No treatment for PSC exists and Hayley’s parents, Jim and Julie Resk, were told Hayley would eventually need a liver transplant to survive.

As the disease progressed, Hayley was hospitalized numerous times for complications including bleeding from esophageal varices (swollen blood vessels), jaundice, and ascites (fluid in her abdomen). Finally, in December 2006, her transplant team at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto, California, placed Hayley on the transplant list.

That’s when Hayley’s parents reached out to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) for help. When asked about the impact COTA has had on her family, Julie Resk said, “COTA has meant that our family had an organization working with us – an organization that was willing to guide us through this difficult time in our lives. Everything was scary and all-consuming, and COTA worked with our volunteers to help lift this huge medical and financial burden off our shoulders and make this transplant for our daughter a reality.”

Hayley received a portion of her mother’s liver on February 12, 2007. Now, just a year later, Hayley is doing well; has returned to school, and has resumed most of her normal teenager activities – including hanging with her friends, studying marine biology (her passion) and working to save manatees and our oceans. Recently, Hayley thanked her mom on her website (www.COTAforHayleyR.com) for the liver donation and for giving her second chance at life. Here’s her letter to her mom:

Mom,

I don't know if I will ever be able to repay you for what you have done for me. It's been beyond words what this past year has been like for me, but I am going to try and put my feelings on paper.

It seems like a dream of so long ago when I first remember being told I was going to need a liver transplant. It had been discussed, but never put out there so pointedly. At first, I was like, "Okay … just another surgery, right?” But the doctors said there would be a list – a list that I would have to wait on until a liver that matched mine was available. At that point, it wasn't the surgery, or missing school, or the pain, or the recovery that scared me, it was the wait. I couldn't handle the thought of just waiting (in my head, I was hooked up to wires in the hospital), and waiting. I was told of the nearly 100,000 other people on this list, and my heart ached. I knew their pain. Together, we began waiting for someone to save me – to make that selfless decision to donate life.

And then, like a miracle come true, I remember the day you volunteered to be my donor. You didn't need even a second to think about it. You stepped up at that moment; I knew you were/are the best mom on earth. I wish every person on that “transplant list” could be as lucky as I was. I felt safe knowing you were always there for me – and I just knew your liver was going to work, no doubt about it.

After the transplant, the first time I saw you, I exploded with happiness. I was so happy we had both made it through. Since then, I've learned so much through our experience. You've taught me things without even knowing it. I've learned to never, ever give up, and to stay strong. I now know I am brave. You have taught me to love with the greatest of my ability. I hope we can spend this Mother's Day with a nice walk on the beach to celebrate our mother/daughter bond … a bond that saved my life.

Love, Hayley

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Donor Information

Tax-Planning Pointers

Even though we are past the April 15th “Tax Day”, here are a few things to consider before making your gift to support a charitable organization such as the Children's Organ Transplant Association:

• For many contributions to qualified charitable organizations, such as the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA), the IRS requires a charitable receipt from COTA. Cash gifts of any value require a receipt, as do gifts of property valued at $250 or more, and gifts of $250 or more paid by check. Gifts of property valued at less than $250 do not require a receipt, and a copy of a check for a gift of less than $250 is sufficient documentation. COTA provides charitable gift receipts for all donations of $50 or more.
• Giving long-term appreciated stock can provide you a tax break. You avoid capital gains taxes on the appreciation and you can deduct the full value of the stock as a charitable donation, if you itemize your deductions.
• You can also create a charitable remainder trust. If you donate appreciated stock or property to the charitable remainder trust, you receive a tax deduction for a portion of the current value the year you do so. The trust pays you income for a set number of years or for your lifetime.
• Despite the stock market’s fluctuations, those who are working should still contribute the maximum to tax-deferred retirement accounts such as a 401(k) or 403(b). Your account will get a chance to grow tax-deferred by compounding over time.
• Start contributing early. You can put in up to $15,500 in 2008. If you are age 50 or older, you can contribute an additional $5,000.
• Stock or mutual fund holders can offset capital gains from winning stocks by selling some of their losers. You can apply up to $3,000 in losses against ordinary income, reducing the amount of income on which you must pay taxes. If you have more than $3,000 in stock losses, you can carry the losses forward to deduct in subsequent years. Even if you like a losing stock or fund that you sell, you should not buy it right back. Under the federal “wash sale” rule, you must wait 31 days. Please call Rick Lofgren at 800.366.2682 or email him at for more information.

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Ways You Can Help

Good Clean Fundraising

Most people have cars – cars that need the grime and dirt from the winter months washed away. Why not host a car wash and donate the proceeds to a COTA patient in your area? Here are some simple tips and strategies for some "good clean fundraising."

First, determine a location. You will need to ensure you have access to water and sufficient space to wash at least one car while others wait in line. Try to find a location with lots of car traffic and with an easy entrance so ‘passersby’ can pull off once they see your signs. Some suggestions include a bank parking lot, a gas station parking lot, an oil change quick stop and a church parking lot.  

The next step? Finding volunteers. Your volunteers must be willing to commit to the hours of the event, and must come to the car wash full of energy and enthusiasm. People seem to enjoy volunteering at a car wash (even though it can be physically tiring) versus committing to other fundraising activities like selling items, preparing food for dinner fundraisers or soliciting in-kind gifts for auctions. Car washes are a lot of good, clean fun. During your car wash, make sure all volunteers are prepared to wash the cars and are prepared to offer a heartfelt thank you for the donation that will make a life-saving difference.

Finally, you must have cars to wash. Your signage must be bold and easy to read as cars pass. Kids can help by holding up signs, but remember to always have adults supervising your smallest volunteers to ensure their safety.

You can also add to your event day proceeds with some of these pre-event fundraising ideas:

• Wash-A- Thon. Ask your car wash volunteers to collect pledges, in advance, for every car they can wash. This can be a really fun contest amongst your volunteers.
• Wash For Free. How can a free car wash generate funds? Research indicates that people actually donate more when they are not asked for a set amount. For instance, if your sign says each car wash is $3.00, that is all you are likely to get. If your sign says the service is free, the driver may give you a $5.00 donation. You will be most successful with this strategy if your volunteers are willing to share information with the driver about the COTA patient your car wash is supporting.
• Sell Coupons. There are lots of advantages to pre-selling coupons for your car wash. Pre-selling allows you to know how many people will likely come to your car wash, meaning you can better plan labor and supplies. Some ticket buyers will never show up, but you already have their donation. And if it rains on the day of your event, you are washed up, but not washed out.

As you roll up your hoses and hang the towels to dry, celebrate the fact that your hard work has helped COTA to give hope, and possibly make a miracle, for an area child or young adult. Funds raised at your event can be sent to: Children’s Organ Transplant Association, 2501 West COTA Drive, Bloomington, IN 47403. For more information about a COTA patient in your area you needs your help, please contact us at or 800.366.2682.

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COTA News

9th Annual George Taliaferro Open To Benefit Children

More than 130 golfers are expected to hit the links on Monday, June 2, 2008, to help the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) raise awareness and funds to benefit children who are in need of a life-saving transplant. The fun-filled day at the Eagle Pointe Country Club in Bloomington, Indiana, will include prizes, contests, food, and fun. Proceeds from the first eight George Taliaferro Open for Children golf outings totaled nearly $500,000.

"I have been overwhelmed by the response to this event over the past several years, and am grateful for the generous support of the many fine individuals and organizations that come to play each year,” said COTA Board Chairman Emeritus George Taliaferro. “My priority is to help ensure there is an organ or tissue donor for every child who needs a life-saving transplant. After my family, I am most proud of the work I have done to help these children have a second chance at life!"

According to Taliaferro, many Bloomington-area sponsors helped make this event a tremendous success in the past including: Comprehensive Financial Consultants (Presenting Sponsor), David and Bonne Hilliard (Gold Sponsor), Cook Incorporated, Bunger & Robertson, the Bloomington Courtyard, GOC Technologies, Dr. Lisa Baker and Monroe Bank.

"We are thankful to George for his energy and enthusiasm … I hope when I am 81 I have half his energy level," said COTA President Rick Lofgren. "This event is an annual success due to George’s warmth, generosity and integrity -- all of which allows COTA to provide the resources that have helped families raise in excess of $48,000,000 over more than two decades of serving transplant patients.” For more information about this year’s George Taliaferro Open for Children, call 800.366.2682.

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COTA Fast Fact

Funds Available for Patients’ Transplant-Related Expenses

The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) provides Services at No Cost and a Challenge Grant Program. The Children's Organ Transplant Association does not charge for its services -- 100% of funds raised are available for transplant-related expenses. Every fundraising campaign is eligible for up to $10,000 in challenge grant funds in the first year of fundraising. All funds raised for patients are always used for patients.

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