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 Johnson City, volunteers are raising funds for COTA in honor of transplant patients like local girl, Piper Smith.  

Piper is the daughter of Scott and Pam Smith.  Born on October 22, 2004, Piper was diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease.  The doctors at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, have recommended a life-saving kidney transplant.  An estimated $70,000 is being raised by Johnson City volunteers.