The Woodlands Lifestyles & Homes magazine Feb 2010: Cooper's Transplant Journey

Each one of us has embarked on numerous journeys throughout the years, but every so often some of us are privileged to make a life journey that changes us forever. In June 2009, after her grandson was listed as Status One for a new colon and small bowel, her family ’s transplant journey with Cooper began.

After receiving the shattering diagnosis that this child had a rare disease that would most certainly shorten his life, came unimaginable medical bills that put an entire family’s financial health into a tailspin. Those were days filled with fear, sorrow and a sense of hopelessness for the entire family.

After learning from the doctors at The University of Pittsburgh Starzel Transplant Center that they could help Cooper with transplant surgery, the gloom lifted. However, with that wonderful news also came the estimated cost of the surgery and first year of care, which was staggering.

“Within a few weeks, the Children’s Organ Transplant Association entered our lives, and filled us with a renewed hope and the belief that we should expect the miracle of the gift of a second chance at life for Cooper, ” said Susan Bollfrass, Cooper’s grandmother.

COTA is a not-for-profit charity that is dedicated to helping families with transplant-needy patients. They help families and communities organize fundraising campaigns, and 100 percent of the dollars raised are used for the transplant-related expenses incurred by the patient.

As the “GOT GUTS” campaign got under way in September, a can-do attitude was strong among all of the volunteers, and this family had no idea that this journey would put them in touch with so many incredible members of the community.

“The sea of people who have crossed our path in the past few months has been immense. Men, women and children from all races and every walk of life have humbled us with their kindness and generosity, ” said Bollfrass.

As diverse as all these individuals are, they share the common desire to help Cooper, to pray for him, and to help reach the campaign goal. Bollfrass says they have met countless families at benefit evenings at local restaurants, and Kinsmen ’s Church Fall Festival, where Cooper was honored. Students from as far away as White Hall, Pa., and Rock Hill, S.C., have held events in honor of Cooper, as well as students at Klein Oak High School, The John Cooper School and Wunsche High School.

In addition, the owners of Hooks Airport gave the family the opportunity to hold a community celebration for Cooper ’s third birthday at “Touch-A-Plane For Cooper” where kids could enjoy looking at, and getting into, many planes.

Thanksgiving Day was spent with The Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University, where they held “Coins For Cooper.” Young men and women manned buckets before and after the football game, and through their efforts raised $30,000 in honor of Cooper.

New Neighbors in Amarillo held their annual pre-Christmas fundraiser and designated Cooper as their honoree.

During half-time at the Thanksgiving Day football game at Texas A&M University, there was a 45-second film with photos of Cooper in which his story was told. As Aggies and Longhorns left Kyle Field they gave generously.

On Dec. 26, former Klein High School football players from the early ’90s through current team members hosted “The 2009 Konicki Santa Bowl…A Knight For Cooper.” Last year they played for Coach Konicki, who lost his

battle with colon cancer, and this year they played for Cooper.

“Events are very important in any successful fundraising campaign, but events are comprised of people, and they are truly at the heart of what we are achieving, ” said Bollfrass. “Our ‘GOT GUTS’ campaign is being carried on the backs of the ever-growing number of people who are now walk-
ing with us on Cooper’s transplant
journey.”

Cooper spends weeks, and often months, at Texas Children’s Hospital due to life-threatening blood and central line infections of bacteria and yeast. Bollfrass says, “As hard as it is to have a child in the hospital, their lives have been touched by caring nurses, volunteers and doctors on the 12th floor.

“We have been greatly blessed with the gift of new friends…children, who are also patients and their families. Many of these little ones are quite ill and from time-to-time one of their journeys on earth comes to an end. ” She adds,

“The lives of these youngsters are intertwined with ours forever, and although we met through illness, we are bonded by the intoxicating love, humor and zest for life that all of these children have. ”

In the long line of friends and strangers she has encountered along the path of Cooper ’s transplant journey, she says a few are forever etched into her heart. One such story is a lady named Rose who approached her at a store when she heard her talking about Cooper. “She asked me about him, and then said she wanted to make a contribution to his COTA fund. Her donation was unusually large. I said I could not accept it, but she said, ‘Oh, but I insist. I have cancer and do not need it, but Cooper does.’ I will never forget this lady’s face and her eyes; I say a prayer for Rose every day.”

Bollfrass says they have met donor families, who have given life saving organs at a moment when they are losing a loved one. “To be so unselfish, to think of the needs of others when your own heart is breaking, is a gift of unimaginable proportion. ”

She says they have also met many organ recipients, and to see them living happy, normal lives is proof that the organs they received were the miracle that gave them a second chance at life.

Cooper knows that he is going to have an operation in Pittsburgh that will make him better, and he is already looking forward to his first visit to Disney World when he is well. For the adults in Cooper ’s life, there is a bit of nervous anticipation.

“Every time the phone rings we hold our breath because ‘the call’ can come at any moment. When the call does come, we will take Cooper and his parents to Hobby Airport and will see them off with tears, a pounding heart and great hope for Cooper ’s future.”

Three-year-old Cooper and his mom, Sarah, will spend a year in Pittsburgh following the surgery. “Many people have told us how sorry they are for Cooper and his family. Truly, we wish that Cooper had not been born with a rare disease, but rather than wallow in self-pity, we follow Cooper ’s example and take each day as a rare and wonderful gift and we enjoy every splendid moment, ” said Bollfrass. “Cooper and his friends bring with them great lessons about faith, hope and love, and standing in their shadow is a wondrous experience. ”

For more information, visit Cooper’s COTA Web site at cotaforcooperk.com.l