Cole will be turning five years old on May 10^th.  Like any child he is looking forward to the presents and the party that come with a birthday. But for his family and friends this birthday is extra special. Cole was born with a rare liver disorder, biliary artresia. He underwent numerous surgeries and procedures and had nine hospitalizations during his first year of life.  It was a welcome into the world that no child should have to endure.

However, since then Cole has been thriving. He is an active, happy and loving boy. While the future is uncertain for this special child, Cole makes the most of each day filling the time with soccer, riding his scooter and playing with his dog. Although he requires daily medications, nutritional supplements, quarterly blood work and bi-annual trips to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to see his pediatric hepatologist, Cole is very lucky for a child with biliary artresia. Cole has not yet required a liver transplant.  Cole is beating the odds!  Cole’s liver is not even showing signs of failure yet.  However, his most recent ultrasound did show early signs of complications as his spleen has become enlarged. And of course it has never been forgotten that biliary artresia is a progressive illness and that 95% of those will the illness do require a life-saving liver transplant before reaching adulthood.

Cole’s friends are planning a special celebration is honor of his milestone 5^th birthday.  In honor of this birthday, Cole’s fundraising team, who for the past two years has been the beneficiary of University of Richmond’s Trick or Treat Street, are leading a special campaign to collect 500 $5 donations.

While these funds will not take away the physical pain and fear that Cole and his family still face, it will help alleviate some of the stress his family will endure and allow his family to focus on Cole’s care without having to chose between paying for medicine or paying the utility bills. 

COTA for Cole Hafer would greatly appreciate support for Cole in honor of his very special birthday.   Tax-deductible donations may be made on line at www.cotaforcoleh.com or checks may be made payable to COTA for Cole Hafer and mailed to Children’s Organ Transplant Association, 2501 West COTA Drive, Bloomington, IN 47403.

Volunteers are also needed for ongoing activities.