Family Spotlight

Meet Christopher Padua … A COTA Miracle

On June 1st, Christopher Padua and his twin brother Evan celebrated their third birthdays … and their parents, Jenille and Jason, are thrilled this day has come for their precious twins. But the celebration was especially sweet for Christopher.

From the day Christopher and Evan were born, it was apparent they were extraordinary. Twins did not run in this family, and while in utero their personalities were already developing and delighting their parents. Chris stayed head down the whole time making sure he was coming out first, while Evan was upside down and could care less who arrived first. When they were born, Chris came out screaming while Evan arrived quietly. Because they were premature, both were placed in the pediatric intensive care unit. However, after all the initial joy, came fear. At age three months Christopher was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia and his parents were told he would likely need a liver transplant to survive. Evan was perfectly healthy.

During the spring of 2007 after many medical ups and downs, Christopher was put on the transplant list while at the same time both Jason and Jenille were tested to be living donors. With healthy Evan and big brother Nathaniel at home needing their parents’ attention as well, it was then that friends and family members reached out to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) to help the Padua family.

According to Jenille, “COTA has been a light at the end of the tunnel throughout Chris’ entire transplant journey. In our most critical hour as a family, COTA allowed us to focus on Chris and not worry about work and finances. In addition to being a lifesaver for us, COTA has made us feel like family. COTA has made all the difference.”

Christopher received his new liver from an unrelated donor on October 30, 2007. He now is at home, growing and doing ‘little boy’ things with his two brothers. After what she has experienced with Christopher, Jenille is changing careers and studying to be a nurse.

Miracles just keep happening to this COTA family.

Please visit the COTA for Christopher P page to make a donation to help with ongoing transplant-related expenses.

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Giving Options

A Predictable Future in Uncertain Times

Brad and Louis could never completely erase the ups and downs of the stock market, but they did find a way of making it more tolerable by funding a charitable remainder annuity trust.

This couple decided to fund the trust after they discovered all it could do for them. They funded it by transferring some stock they had held for some time. They did this without paying capital gains taxes, and they even received an income tax deduction for part of the amount. In return, they established the trust so it would pay them a fixed amount of money for as long as either lived. With careful planning, they could expect a lifetime of steady payments.

Since funding the trust, Brad and Louise still watch the market, but now they have added some stability to their lives. While the funds in their trust may go up and down, their payments from it will not. They also know that after a lifetime of payments to them,
any funds remaining in the trust will go directly to support their favorite charity -- the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA). That brought them even more comfort than the payments.

What about you? Could you use some stability in an up-and-down financial environment? Why not consider a charitable remainder annuity trust like Brad and Louise. Feel free to click on the calculator link to find all the benefits you would receive. You can choose a funding amount and payment rate that is right for you. Please feel free to call us, or email us, and we can help you determine what plan is right for you.

For more information about charitable trusts, call Rick Lofgren at 800.366.2682 or email him at for a no-obligation information packet. You may also mail him at: COTA, Attention Rick Lofgren, 2501 West COTA Drive, Bloomington, IN 47403. There is no obligation to request the information, and the material is personal and is not shared
with anyone.

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Ways You Can Help

Making Money … and Matching It!

Michael Moreno’s COTA volunteer team has held dinners, 5K runs and many other community events. This COTA team has worked hard, and their commitment and hard work has been rewarded by not only event proceeds but also matching funds from a national organization -- Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is the country's largest fraternal benefit society. However, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans does much more than offer financial services, it also offers programs and outreach opportunities where members can connect with each other, learn new things, and help their communities and congregations. Thrivent’s Volunteering Programs link offers information about how members can help you raise additional funds to help COTA offer support to a local transplant family in need.

Please log onto Thrivent Financial for Lutheran’s website, www.Thrivent.com, and follow the Thrivent Community link to Programs and Outreach. This group has helped families like Michael’s, and can possibly help your efforts to raise funds for COTA -- if you have a local congregation or group of six or more Thrivent members who make a request that the funds be utilized in your community. You, or members of your club, do not need to be members of a Lutheran congregation to access this assistance.

If you have additional questions following a review of the Thrivent website, please contact COTA at 800.366.2682 or .

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COTA News

COTA is Newest American Legion Partner

The American Legion recently passed a resolution adopting the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) as an official program. The resolution was unanimously approved by The American Legion’s National Executive Committee during meetings held in Indianapolis, Indiana, in May 2009.

The resolution authorizes the national organization of The American Legion to work directly with COTA to promote the mutual aims and purposes of ensuring that children receive life-saving transplants. Furthermore, the resolution states, “The American Legion encourages its Departments and Posts to work with and support the fundraising efforts of the Children’s Organ Transplant Association to benefit the health and well being of our nation’s children in need of organ transplants.”

“Although the resolution formalizes the relationship between The American Legion and COTA, we have a long history of working together to improve the lives of children,” said Dennis Boland, Chairman of the National Commission on Children & Youth.

“With an American Legion Department in every state and more than 14,000 Posts spread throughout the United States, this partnership will significantly assist our public awareness campaigns and outreach potential across the country,” commented Rick Lofgren, President of the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA). “We look forward to working with The Legion family to give hope and make miracles for transplant families.”

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COTA Fast Fact

The Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) provides:
Management of the Funds Raised
Funds may be used for transplant-related expenses. The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) does not charge for its services, and provides families and donors the assurance that funds will be used appropriately. COTA’s program is flexible -- COTA assists families regardless of their need or the type of support they require.

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