COTA celebrating 40 years, National Donate Life Month

April is National Donate Life Month, a time to raise awareness of – and encourage people to sign up for – organ donation.It’s also the 40th anniversary of the opening of the Children’s Organ Transplant Association in Bloomington.COTA’s mission is to “help children and young adults who need a life-saving transplant by providing fundraising assistance and family support.”It’s raised more than $160 million since opening in 1986. Last year, COTA paid out more than $4 million to help with transplant expenses.According to Donate Life Indiana, “more than 1,000 Hoosiers are among more than 100,000 Americans waiting for lifesaving organ transplants. In the U.S., another person is added to the transplant waiting list every eight minutes. Each day, 16 people die because a donated organ wasn’t available in time.”On this week's Noon Edition, we’ll talk about the history of the Children’s Organ Transplant Association, its mission, and what it’s like to be the family of a donor and a recipient.GuestsRick Lofgren, CEO and president, COTASuzanne Seiders, Board member, COTA and parent of child recipientLisa Vanderkleed, Parent of child donor