INDIANAPOLIS – The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) will host its third annual Miracle Maker Celebration on Saturday, June 25, 2015, at the Dallara IndyCar Factory in Indianapolis. This event will recognize and honor the many contributions provided by more than 200,000 Miracle Makers nationwide as well as commemorate COTA’s 30th birthday.

Since 1986, transplant-needy kids and young adults from every state have been able to receive a second chance at life due to COTA Miracle Makers. COTA’s nationwide network of Miracle Makers provides assistance and support to families who are facing a life-saving transplant. This assistance has been provided from coast to coast to transplant families who represent a diverse combination of ethnic, economic, religious and social backgrounds.

“Thanks to the support from our Miracle Makers over the past 30 years, COTA is able to give transplant families hope for a brighter tomorrow, and help provide the miracle of transplantation to children and young adults in partnership with transplant centers throughout the nation,” said Rick Lofgren, COTA’s President and CEO.

At the event, COTA’s George Taliaferro Miracle Maker Award will be presented in honor of the late Carroll Shelby. Mr. Shelby was an American automotive designer, legendary racing driver and entrepreneur.  He was best known for his involvement with the AC Cobra, and later the Mustang-based performance cars for Ford Motor Company. Shelby dealt with health issues throughout his life.  He was the recipient of a heart transplant in 1990, and in 1996 he underwent a kidney transplant — a kidney that he received from his son, Michael.

In 1991, he launched the Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation to provide financial assistance to young people undergoing acute coronary and kidney care. In 2009 the organization became the Carroll Shelby Foundation with a mission of helping kids from their first heartbeat through their educational years. COTA has been honored to be a recipient of foundation funding for many years.

COTA families from the area will also share their transplant journeys. Two COTA parents, Kirk and Beth Hornocker of Sweetser, Indiana, will share about their first child, Vada, who was born with a congenital heart defect. Blessed to be in relatively close proximity to a nationally recognized pediatric transplant center, the family spent many of Vada’s early years in and out of Riley Hospital for Children for various heart surgeries, and for treatment after she suffered a stroke in 2000. Vada received her life-saving heart transplant fourteen months ago.

The Children’s Organ Transplant Association is a national charity that provides fundraising assistance to transplant families. Since 1986, COTA’s priority is to assure that no child or young adult is denied a transplant or excluded from a transplant waiting list due to lack of funds. 100% of all funds raised in honor of transplant patients are used for transplant-related expenses.

For more information about COTA please visit COTA.org.