With the cost of a transplant often exceeding $500,000, many transplant families 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 Phoenix, volunteers are raising funds for transplant patients like local toddler, Noah Swanson.  

Noah is the son of Scott and Nancy Swanson.  Born on September 18, 2009, Noah was diagnosed with severe Neutropenia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome. He has been classified as having Refractory Cytopenia of Childhood (RCC) MDS. The doctors at Phoenix Children’s Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, have recommended a life-saving bone marrow transplant or cord blood transplant. 

Noah has been on the bone marrow registry since December 2011.  After many month of searching on the bone marrow registry with no match.  The transplant team has decided to look at cord blood for Noah.  They have found 3 to 4 potential cord options that are robust and provide a 5 out of 6 cord match. The transplant team continues to look at both bone marrow and cord blood options for Noah.

 An estimated $50,000 is being raised by Phoenix volunteers.