This page is being created for our brother Ezekiel (Zeke) Kendall. Zeke is 19 years old and just received a new heart on January 20th. He was diagnosed in November 2012 with Congestive Heart Failure.
Zeke was adopted by our family shortly after he was born. We have had him at our house since he was 1 week old. He is our cousin by blood, but always our brother in our hearts. Zeke has lived a normal healthy life with no health emergencies until November 2012. It was then the doctors thought he was battling the flu. After being sent home he returned a few days later with his body temp at around 94 and his blood pressure undetectable. He was sent to the ER where after numerous tests we were told that his heart was failing and his only option is a heart transplant. This hit us all so hard. We couldn't believe that this was our only option. It was and is surreal to us. We believe that this was a hereditary heart condition that Zeke has had and slowly his heart muscle was shutting down. It wasn't until he got a cold that it was highlighted to this degree. Zeke is remaining strong and brave. Day after day he continues to push on and we continue to support him and stay hopeful and positive about our future together.
His future is filled with multiple surgeries (statistics say he will need another heart transplant after 12-15 years of receiving the first one). He is currently taking approximate 32 pills a day which are extremely expensive so his body won't reject the new heart. With all of this he will need help to afford these procedures, doctor appointments, and medication.
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 Orange County California, volunteers are raising funds for transplant patients like Zeke Kendall. The doctors at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, have recommended a life-saving heart transplant. An estimated $150,000 is being raised by loving and dedicated volunteers.
We are asking everyone that can help donate! Every dollar helps.The Children’s Organ Transplant Association does not charge for its services or take a percentage of funds raised. 100% of funds raised in honor of patients are used for transplant-related expenses. Because the Children’s Organ Transplant Association is a 501(c)3 charity, gifts to COTA are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. And, because COTA serves as the trustee of the funds, these funds are not considered income for the family and do not jeopardize any assistance program the family has or may qualify for. With a little financial assistance we can make his future a little bit easier. Thank you all for your prayers, support and friendship.
