Due to conflict of interest, I must take down this WordPress blog. Please find us on the new and improved www.cotaforchristopherp.com. Stay tuned and please be patient as I learn to navigate it.
I want to take a moment to thank all those who’ve donated their last dollar or that precious hour to our cause. I want to thank those strangers who’ve emailed me (my LandAmerica family across the country!) or called to see how we’re doing and how they can help, etc. I want to thank those people who’ve come out to our events.
It means so much to us that even though we don’t know each and every one of you, you all are giving Christopher a second chance at life. There’s no words to express our sincere gratitude – THANK YOU!
As of today, there are 96,944 people awaiting an organ transplant according to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and many candidates are added each day to the organ transplant list. Tragically, one in three die – waiting.
Christopher is one of those candidates waiting. Luckily, Chris’ biliary atresia allows for a living donor transplant in which he can receive a piece of someone else’s liver (which will grow back). Ironically, Christopher’s dad, Jason, never wanted to put that pink “Donor” sticker on his driver’s license just like many others I know; and yet, Jason is the most likely candidate as Christopher’s living donor. Jason has humbly placed the pink sticker but that’s not enough – it doesn’t put you on the donor registry list.
We have signed up with the Donate Life California Organ & Tissue Donor Registry. Please join us in saving and enhancing the lives of thousands of people in need of your help. It took us only a few minutes to sign up — minutes that could mean years of life for someone else.
It has come to my attention that more than one person has asked, “Don’t you have insurance?” “Doesn’t your insurance cover the transplant?”
“Yes!” We have the best insurance plan thanks to Jason’s employment at UCSF. You can’t beat $98/month for a growing family!
And even though the transplant surgery would cost about $500K, 100% of the transplant surgery is covered. Let’s hope it stays that way.
I need to clarify that we’re fundraising $40K (a number COTA estimated) for the costs associated with the transplant journey (a lifetime for Christopher) which include, but is not limited to:
medical copays for the room-stay before and after transplant (Christopher has been hospitalized a total of 5 times so far)
medication co-pays that will equal about $1,000/month (20+ medications)
lost income during the transplant stay; time away from work
transportation and costs associated wit the transplant
living donor expenses
Some families have to relocate for months to be closer to the transplant center but we’re fortunate to only be 10 miles away from UCSF and that we don’t have to pay for lodging, airfare, etc.
Although these expenses seem minor, we truly appreciate everything that has been donated because without that last $1, we wouldn’t be able to shoulder the financial burden. Thank you for your continued support!
…to Jason’s dad, Manuel Padua, Sr. and his coworkers at the U.S. Postal Service – Napoleon St. for the fundraising BBQ on Saturday. Even though it was freezing cold, people grabbed a bite to eat and went on their routes. They have told us that they will be holding fundraising events throughout the month to benefit Christopher. If you see a flier in your mail, you know why. Thanks to them, they’ve raised $1,500+ for Christopher!
Thank you all for coming out on Saturday to Space 550. It was a good turnout and an unforgettable night….We did really well making $2,400 from the guestlist and donation boxes. Thank you to the strangers who also put money into the boxes.
Thank you to Mike at Blu Ice Entertainment for hosting and being very hospitable, thank you to Bernadette for being Club Chair and organizing everything, thank you to Cecilia for being Campaign Coordinator, thank you to Jillian for the beautiful poster, thank you to Rachael for the fliers and COTA materials, and thank you to Jean and Caitlin for the fabulous ribbon fliers. Thank you Bethony, Justin, Jay, and Hubert for manning the donation table.
If you have pics, please email them to COTAforChristopherP@gmail.com – I’ll post them here shortly. Pics have been uploaded under the Photo Gallery tab. And if you liked this event and wouldn’t mind another club event, please let us know so we can get another one together.
Thank you all again for your continued support and check out www.cotaforchristopherp.com or here for more information on Chris’ updates, events, etc.
First and foremost, thank you all for your support and for spreading the word. I’ve been getting calls and emails from friends and family I haven’t caught up with in ages. It’s nice to hear those familiar voices. It warms my heart to know there’s still good out there.
If you saw it, the press release for Christopher was aired on Balitang America on Wednesday evening. Tonight, we were interviewed by Steve Angeles of Balitang America. Since Biliary Atresia hits Asians more than any other race, it’s imperative to keep them informed. Thanks Mark for the hookup and thanks Steve for the exposure. Stay tuned!
