About Leah Grace Parker
Leah Grace is a 4-year-old girl with a sweet spirit and a love for animals. Hoping to be both a doctor and teacher when she grows up, Leah has the creative and sensitive idea of teaching little children and also meeting the medical needs of anyone who “comes by”. If she’s not playing on her Leapster Explorer or watching a Disney movie, you might find her coloring, reading, painting, blowing bubbles or playing outside. Not unlike many 4-year-olds, Leah loves milkshakes and pizza.
Born on August 17, 2007, Leah was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy, and doctors at the Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, Texas recommended a life-saving heart transplant. **Update! On Sept. 8, 2011, Leah received a NEW HEART! Read more in updated blogs!**
With the cost of a transplant often exceeding $500,000, many transplant patients are unable to shoulder the financial burden of such a procedure. Insurance will pay a large percentage, but the patient and her family are responsible for deductibles, co-pays, travel expenses before and after the transplant, medications, and more. Leah will be required to have annual procedures on her heart and she will be on medication for the rest of her life. Our goal is to raise $75,000. We can do it with your help!
The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) is a national charity dedicated to organizing and guiding communities in raising funds for transplant-needy patients. All donations are tax deductible, and 100% of funds raised go toward transplant related expenses. To make a donation, please click here.
This song was written in honor of Leah Grace. You may purchase it here. All proceeds go to Leah's COTA account.
Please read the updated blogs, visit Leah’s photo albums, keep posted on activities and events, see recent media coverage, and leave a message for Leah and her family in the guestbook. As Leah bravely goes through the transplant journey, it will help the Parkers to know they have a lot of prayers and support.
Donations may be made in person at any Wells Fargo Bank branch location using account number 3013505957 or 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 Leah Grace P.” written on the memo line of the check. Secure credit card donations are also accepted online through COTA.
We also want to encourage you and your family members to consider becoming organ donors. For more information, please visit organdonor.gov.