Escondido toddler in need of life-saving transplant

ESCONDIDO- 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-related expenses. In Escondido, volunteers are raising funds for COTA in honor of transplant patients like local toddler, Emersyn Ochoa.

Emersyn is the daughter of Maggie Haynie and Miguel Vizcarra. Born on April 3, 2014, Emersyn was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy. The doctors at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, have recommended a life-saving heart transplant. An estimated $100,000 is being raised by Escondido volunteers.

Volunteers are needed to assist with fundraising activities that will help with transplant-related expenses. Individuals and groups interested in more information can contact Community Coordinator Gale Short at (949) 338-1888 or email [email protected].

Donations may be mailed to the 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 Emersyn O.” written on the memo line of the check. Secure credit card donations are also accepted online at www.COTAforEmersynO.com.

Emersyn’s family has asked for assistance from the Children’s Organ Transplant Association. The organization’s priority is to assure that no child or young adult is denied a transplant or excluded from a transplant waiting list due to lack of funds. One hundred percent of all funds raised are used for patients’ transplant-related expenses.