Volunteers raise funds to help girl receive liver transplant

Idasia Howington

RockyMountTelegram.com
North Carolina - Local volunteers are raising funds to help a Charlotte girl with local ties receive a life-saving liver transplant.

Born May 14, 2008, Idasia Howington was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia, and doctors at Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati recommended that she receive a liver transplant. Local volunteers and family members are working to raise an estimated $60,000 for the operation.

Family members turned for help to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association, an Indiana-based charity organization dedicated to organizing and assisting communities in raising funds for patients who need transplants. A fundraising chicken dinner sale is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Community Building at 5905 Harristown Road. Plates cost $7 each, and free delivery is available for orders of 10 or more.

Donations also can be made at any Wachovia Bank branch using the account number of 300002511773 or mailed to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association, 2501 W. COTA Drive, Bloomington, IN 47403. Checks or money orders should be made out to COTA, with “In honor of Idasia H.” written on the memo line. Credit card donations also can be made online at http://www.COTAforIdasiaH.com.

Idasia is the daughter of Courtney Howington of Whitakers and LaTora Battle of the Battleboro community, who now live in Charlotte. She is the granddaughter of Letha Smith of Rocky Mount and Patricia Howington of Whitakers.

For more information or to volunteer for the fundraising effort, call 252-314-4709 or 252-937-4778 or email vivian@embarqmail.com.

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