Can You Help Make a Miracle for Jessica?
Hi my Name is Jessica Cross.
I was born on September 6th 2006. I was born the biggest of my siblings and I was even able to come home within 24 hours of being born. I have one sister and one brother. They are both older than me. We live in the Olympia area surrounded by friends and family. When I was just a few weeks old I was diagnosed with failure to thrive. This would be the first of several diagnoses I would receive in my 2 years of life.
I have been in and out of Children’s Hospital in Seattle since I was just 2 weeks old. When I was about 2 months old I was diagnosed with both congestive heart failure and kidney failure. I have had many procedures and surgeries from very minor ones to very intense and life-saving. Two of the surgeries that stand out the most are my open heart surgery at just 7 months old, and another surgery to remove my left kidney when I was just 9½ months old. Most people can survive very well with just one kidney but in my case I cannot. Both of my kidneys have been affected by chronic kidney disease, chronic renal insufficiency, renal dysplasia, and hypoplasia (small kidneys). My left was affected more than my right, but despite my right kidney being healthier than my left it is sick. Even though I had 2 kidneys at birth I will need to have a kidney transplant.
A kidney transplant is the only thing that will allow me to grow and be healthier than I am now.
You Can Help Make My Kidney Transplant Possible – Here’s how:
My family and friends are asking for prayers and support. We are counting on the generosity of caring people to help raise funds for transplant-related expenses. This campaign is being conducted under the supervision of the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA). COTA is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, and all donations are fully tax deductible. Visit www.cota.org for more details.
Please visit my Blog page to stay updated on how I'm doing throughout my journey and be sure to check out the Activities and Events section for upcoming events. If you would like to become a volunteer on my team please go to the How You Can Help section of my page, or if you'd like to donate click on make a donation which will take you to my donation page.
Donations may be made in person at any Wells Fargo branch location using account number 8708576114 or mailed to:
Children's Organ Transplant Association
2501 West COTA Drive
Bloomington, Indiana, 47403
Checks or money orders should be made payable to COTA, with "In Honor of Jessica Lynn C" written on the memo line of the check. Secure credit card donations are also accepted online at Jessica's Donor Page.
Please help us spread the word about Jessica to your friends, family, and coworkers. Thank You.
To learn more about Jessica's story, please visit the Past Updates page.
With the cost of a transplant often exceeding $500,000, many transplant patients are unable to shoulder the financial burden of such a procedure. The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) is a national charity dedicated to organizing and guiding communities in raising funds for transplant-needy patients. In Olympia, volunteers are raising funds for transplant patients like local girl Jessica Cross. An estimated $55,000 is being raised by Olympia volunteers.
