With the cost of a transplant often exceeding $500,000, many transplant patients 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 patients. In the Crystal Lake area, volunteers are raising funds for transplant patients like local teen Mackenzie Tannhauser.

Born on July 21, 1994, Mackenzie was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy, and doctors at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois recommended a life-saving heart transplant. An estimated $100,000 is being raised by Crystal Lake volunteers. 

 Childrens Memorial Hospital is doing a video documentary on Mackenzie. Below are links to the YouTube videos or go to Childrens Memorial website.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8