Family Spotlight

The Best Father's Day Gift … A Daughter's Second Chance at Life

June is a month full of family and fun … especially on the third weekend of the month when families gather to celebrate dads. Father's Day has become a very special holiday for the Eckert family in Charlotte, North Carolina. They experienced a miracle when young Jadyn Eckert received one of her father's kidneys … and a second chance at life.

Jadyn's story is one that strikes terror in a parent's heart. According to Michael and Laura Eckert, Jadyn was a happy and healthy toddler until November 2007 when the 17-month-old became terribly sick. She was diagnosed with Septic Pneumococcal Pneumonia and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. Her body went into shock and all her body systems shut down. She spent two months at Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, fighting for her life. To the astonishment of her healthcare providers, Jadyn began to make a complete recovery, except for her kidneys. So she was placed on dialysis to await the inevitable -- a kidney transplant.

It was during these days of waiting and watching that the Eckert family reached out to
the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA). According to Laura, "COTA really made our lives so much easier during the transplant portion of Jadyn's journey. COTA meant that we did not have to worry about the financial aspects of the transplant. COTA helped us find ways to reach out to our community who stepped up to help us during a very difficult time."

"Once we joined the COTA family, we watched as the generosity of many people allowed COTA to reach their fundraising goal. For any family going through a transplant with their child you always hope you will have everything you need to make it through the long and emotional journey. COTA gave our family the ability to hope for everything possible for
our daughter."

In the summer of 2008 Michael went through testing to be her kidney donor. He was a match. Jadyn's kidney transplant was scheduled for August 31, 2009. Jadyn and her dad went through all the necessary preparations in the months prior to the big day and both were ready to go when that magical morning arrived.

Laura remembers how so much changed in such a short time. "Jadyn became terribly sick very quickly. We watched our baby fight for her life. To everyone's amazement, Jadyn began to recover -- a miracle we will never forget. Her kidneys never recovered, however, and faced with the need for a life-saving transplant, another miracle occurred -- her dad was a match. COTA paved the way and we will be forever grateful," she said.

Today Jadyn has stopped needing a feeding tube, and takes her two anti-rejection medicines by mouth. She is just like any other five-year-old. She goes to school and has no limitations on what she can do.

Truly the best Father's Day gift.

Please visit www.cota.org and select “Find a COTA Family” to locate a transplant family in your area needing financial and/or volunteer assistance.

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Giving Options

A Record of Essential Information

As the years go by, we often lose track of what we accumulate along the way. In some families it is a cradle or christening gown that has been handed down for generations, or an autographed baseball signed by a forgotten hero, or a faded program from the grammar school play our son or daughter performed in, or a graduation announcement or invitation to a wedding, or perhaps even a key to our first home.

These are but a few of the things we tuck away in a closet, but they often shape our lives and remain in our hearts. From an estate planning perspective, there are several other bits and pieces we frequently accumulate and often forget we have. Items such as savings accounts, stocks and bonds, mutual funds, mortgages or leases, partnerships, antiques and other works of art, furniture, and paid-up life insurance policies are examples.

We often forget about these items tucked away in a bank safe deposit box or in the back of the filing cabinet in the basement, but they too can be gifts from the heart and make a big difference in the lives of our loved ones. We also often forget how our lives have changed along the way. Events such as marriages and remarriages; children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren; births and deaths of friends and loved ones; and ever-changing interests, desires and priorities. Because of this, it is beneficial to do a thorough review and accounting of one's assets and priorities to determine what needs to happen to certain treasures -- and even routine items -- when we are no longer able to make such decisions. Often, individuals neglect to write a will, or even a plan, for how their assets will be disposed of after they are gone. It is truly sad to witness cherished possessions indiscriminately disposed of when one fails to provide instructions for their heirs and loved ones.

The Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) has a questionnaire that will assist you in creating a mechanism for tracking all your assets and priorities. There is no obligation in requesting this personal resource that will help you document the legacy you wish to leave. This questionnaire will be helpful even if you are simply wishing to see what you have accumulated over the past few years. The information you gather stays in your possession and remains confidential, and need not be shared with anyone without your express permission.

For a free copy of the Record of Essential Information, simply send a note or email () to the Children's Organ Transplant Association. Or, call Rick Lofgren at 800.366.2682 for immediate assistance. The questionnaire will be mailed to you immediately, and Rick will be happy to work with you should you have questions.

This article is for information purposes and is not binding tax or legal advice. Please consult with your tax advisor for specific items to discover how they impact your situation.

For more information about COTA Planned Giving and tax savings opportunities, simply email Rick Lofgren at or call him at 800.366.2682 for immediate assistance.

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Ways You Can Help

Father Knows Best

COTA dads and moms are critical to the transplant process. When a child needs a life-saving transplant, both mom and dad move heaven and earth to help their child. 'Extraordinary' does not begin to describe parental determination.

For over two decades, COTA has given dads (and moms) the chance to be parents during their child's transplant journey. Just last month, COTA Dad Dustin Scaife spoke at the COTA 25th Anniversary event. He recounted his family's experience. How he cared for a sick infant who needed a kidney transplant while his wife was tested to be the kidney donor. How he worried about finances and then worried more about how he would care for a sick child, a recovering wife and still keep his job. How COTA took all of his worries about finances away so he could focus on his wife and child.

Dustin said, "Lindsay and I tend not to spend too much time thinking about the hard times before Parker's transplant. He is doing so well now that we focus on enjoying these moments. But it is always good for us to look back at the past and remember how sick Parker was, and how hard we struggled each and every day. It definitely helps us to appreciate where we are today. We appreciate all COTA has done for us. Every single one of the nearly 1,700 families that have worked with COTA is incredibly fortunate."

Allowing dads (and moms) to focus on the needs of their child. That's what parents tell us is one of the primary benefits of working with COTA. Because they have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that the financial obligations of the family will be met during a challenging time, families can focus on their children.

On June 19th we will celebrate Father's Day with gifts, cards, barbeques or perhaps a visit or a phone call. A great way to honor any dad is to make a gift to COTA in honor of him. Your gift can be designated to help a child in need or can be donated to COTA to help with day-to-day expenses. Either way, remember that COTA never takes a fee for providing assistance. Visit www.cota.org and click on the "Make a Donation" button on the left side of the screen to get started.

Thank you for your help … and Happy Father's Day.

For more ideas on ways you can help raise funds for COTA on behalf of a patient in your area or make a gift that honors your father, please contact Doug Lippert, Resource Development Manager at or by calling 800.366.2682, extension 225.

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COTA News

Just the Facts, Ma'am …

Understanding what COTA does is very important to our families, Miracle Makers and volunteers. But we do not want to assume that everyone understands all the details. Here are three key ways COTA helps families … and why COTA needs your support:

1. COTA's mission is to provide fundraising assistance
   and family support. When transplant families have a question, they can email or call COTA, and we will provide thoughtful answers, helpful resources and assistance with transplant-related expenses. These services are available to all COTA families for the lifetime of the transplant patient. Our relationship with families, donors, volunteers and Miracle Makers is a long-term commitment.
2. When COTA says that our services are no-cost, that means we do not take a fee or percentage of the funds raised; and that means COTA fundraising resources, training programs, support materials and volunteer services are free. Each dollar raised for COTA in honor of transplant patients is used for patients' expenses. Period. That is why we rely on the generosity of our volunteers and donors. With your help, we can continue to make this commitment to our families.
3. An important part of most fundraising campaigns is the ability for individuals to donate via the Internet. COTA provides a no-cost website to each fundraising campaign, as well as a donation page for each COTA patient. As you may know, there is a fee associated with processing credit card transactions. Many of our donors have made donations to other charities via the web, only to see that
   their donation was reduced by a service or processing fee. Not at COTA. Funds donated electronically are not reduced by any service fee. Our donors
   and volunteers appreciate this and can rely on COTA to continue to provide
   this service.

COTA wants to help you any way we can. When you make a commitment to helping COTA and our families, you are truly giving hope and making miracles.

If you would like to learn more about resources available to help you share the COTA mission, please contact Doug Lippert, Resource Development Manager at or by calling 800.366.2682 extension 225.

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COTA Fast Fact

Ongoing Support … Before, During and After the COTA Campaign
Throughout the community fundraising campaign, the Children's Organ Transplant Association provides printed and web-based materials, telephone support and
no-cost websites.

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