About Emily Walter

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-needy patients. In Norfolk, volunteers are raising funds for transplant patients like local teen Emily Walter.

Emily was born on September 20, 1995. Emily was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis when she was 2 years old. Emily has fought and battled this disease her entire life. Each year tends to bring additional struggles as well as additional hospital stays. After Emily's lung collapse in June of 2007 the CF team at CHKD in Norfolk , Virginia decided it was time to call in the experts at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.Together with her mom (Mary), Dad (Shon) , her family and a team of America's finest doctors; Emily is preparing for a recommended  life-saving double lung transplant. An estimated $50,000 is being raised by Norfolk volunteers, in order to financially support this important endeavor. Emily is working hard to eat well, stay active, positive and proactive toward her health. Emily is doing her part, her team is working hard, and we need you to dig deep into your hearts, pocket and time in order to make all of this work and progress a reality.