Help turn tragedy into triumph
By Staff | Apr 21, 2021
To the editor:
The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) was founded in April 1986 when residents of Bloomington, Indiana, rallied around a toddler who needed a life-saving liver transplant. In less than eight weeks, the community raised $100,000 to place the boy on the organ waiting list. But he died before an organ was found. Those community volunteers, along with his parents, turned tragedy into triumph by using those funds to help other transplant families.
For 35 years, COTA has assisted thousands of transplant families by helping to raise funds for transplant-related expenses. COTA has built extensive volunteer networks across the nation in an attempt to ensure that no child or young adult needing an organ or tissue transplant is excluded from a transplant waiting list due to lack of funds.
Help turn tragedy into triumph
By Staff | Apr 21, 2021
To the editor:
The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) was founded in April 1986 when residents of Bloomington, Indiana, rallied around a toddler who needed a life-saving liver transplant. In less than eight weeks, the community raised $100,000 to place the boy on the organ waiting list. But he died before an organ was found. Those community volunteers, along with his parents, turned tragedy into triumph by using those funds to help other transplant families.
For 35 years, COTA has assisted thousands of transplant families by helping to raise funds for transplant-related expenses. COTA has built extensive volunteer networks across the nation in an attempt to ensure that no child or young adult needing an organ or tissue transplant is excluded from a transplant waiting list due to lack of funds.
10-year-old Athens girl recovering after live saving heart transplant surgery in Nashville An update on Bella Winters, the 10-year-old girl in need of a heart transplant By Elizabeth Gentle | April 14, 2021 at 9:49 PM CDT - Updated April 18 at 9:44 PM
ATHENS, Ala. (WAFF) - We have good news to share with you. 10-year-old Bella Winters is out of surgery at Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville. She underwent a heart transplant early Sunday morning.
Bella’s mom, Corey Winters, says surgeons Bella is doing great, her vitals are stable and strong. The best news of all, Corey says, is that Bella’s new heart is beating.
Helping Bella: 10-year-old Athens girl still fighting heart defect
An update on Bella Winters, the 10-year-old girl in need of a heart transplant By Elizabeth Gentle | April 14, 2021 at 9:49 PM CDT - Updated April 14 at 9:53 PM
ATHENS, Ala. (WAFF) - In February, we told you about a little girl in Athens who needed a heart transplant.
Bella Winters is still waiting for that call saying a heart is available. As you can imagine, this is a costly surgery.
WAFF’s Elizabeth Gentle spoke to those with an organization providing hope to this family who needs it so much.
Bella Winters loves a good slice of pizza and time with family. She’s bright, spunky, but reserved when you first meet her. Bella’s favorite subject in school is math, and she’s quick to tell you her best pal is Trixie, her horse.