COTA

GIVE HOPE

MAKE A MIRACLE

Here's how you can become
a COTA Family

In communities all across America, COTA patients, their families, volunteers and countless contributors are working together to build promising and joyful futures for children who need a second chance at life. 

Here’s how you can do it:

1. Make the Call

If you would like to become part of the COTA family, call COTA at 800.366.2682.  After speaking with a member of COTA’s professional staff, a packet of information with more details, including a Patient Agreement, will be mailed to you.  The agreement protects the transplant patient and their family, as well as COTA.  The agreement spells out what you can expect from COTA, and allows COTA to raise funds on behalf of the patient and to use the patient’s picture and story in promotional materials.  After you receive the packet, a COTA staff member will call you to answer any questions you may have.

2. Sign the Agreement 

The Parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the transplant patient must sign the COTA Patient Agreement for a minor child.  Patients over the age of 21 must sign their own COTA Patient Agreement.

3. Talk to your Doctor

Your transplant physician must complete the COTA Medical Form.  If it is more convenient, the physician’s office can fax the form directly to COTA.  COTA’s fax number is 812.336.8885. You do not need to be listed to begin a COTA campaign, but you must have a transplant physician tell us that a transplant is a probable treatment in the future.

4. Send a Photo

COTA needs a clear photo of the patient for the website and publicity purposes.  The photo should be a recent photo with a clear view of the child’s face.  Photos can be emailed or mailed to COTA headquarters.  COTA cannot launch your campaign website without a photo. 

5. Recruit your Volunteers

Fundraising for transplant-related expenses is possible only when you have volunteers who will work with COTA to begin the fundraising effort.  Additional volunteers who are willing to assist the key volunteers by serving on committees and providing assistance will also be needed.  Remember, none of the three key volunteer positions may be filled by parents or patient caregivers. 

Community Coordinator

The most critical position for any COTA campaign is the Community Coordinator.  The Community Coordinator will oversee the entire campaign.  COTA provides the Community Coordinator with training, manuals, guides, fundraising resources and ongoing support.  The Community Coordinator will:

• Be readily available (via phone and/or email) during day and evening hours.
• Live in the area where the majority of the fundraising will take place.
• Not be the patient’s parent (unless the patient is an adult) or live in the same home as the patient

Public Relations Coordinator

The Public Relations Coordinator serves as the spokesperson for the fundraising campaign and will coordinate all media contacts, press releases and publicity for the campaign.  COTA provides the Public Relations Coordinator with training, a local media list and resources to assist with media coverage.  The Public Relations Coordinator will:

• Be able to communicate with the media.  Established media contacts are a plus.
• Live in the area where the majority of the fundraising and media activities will take place.
• Not be the patient’s parent, unless the patient is an adult who lives in a different home.

Webmaster

COTA will provide a campaign website.  The Webmaster will customize this website during the fundraising campaign.  COTA will provide training and a manual to use with the website editing platform.  Note that COTA volunteers and families may not use or maintain any other website during the campaign.  The Webmaster will:

• Have Internet and computer access and experience, and be willing to update the website regularly.
• Live in area where fundraising will take place and be available to the rest of the volunteer team. 
• Not be the patient or the patient’s parent, unless the patient is an adult and living in a different home.