The average 24 year old worries about career, school, and starting their life, however for Shannon O’Donnell of Toms River, Cystic Fibrosis has caused her to put life on hold while waiting for a dual lung transplant. However the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) is working with Shannon to help with fundraising and support during the difficult time.

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O’Donnell says she was apprehensive when the diagnosis came for the transplant and they were suggested to try fundraising to come up with the money. However when Shannon and her family contacted COTA she said they were extremely helpful.

“They are a nonprofit organization, a hundred percent of the funds raised does go to me.”

The non profit helper her launch an internet based campaign called CODAforShannonO, which tries to raise $30,000 needed for the surgery.

Shannon and her family have already raised close to $4,200 just by sending out a Facebook page which went viral being passed amongst family and friends.

Shannon says beyond helping organizing the web portal and fundraising methods, COTA provides her with something very necessary during long car rides for treatments and hospital stays.

“A ton of support is really necessary and then it’s been really amazing to me during the past few months that I’ve been going through this.”

In addition to fighting for her own surgery, Shannon wants people to know that there are a lot of people in need of life saving organs right in their own neighborhood.

“A lot of people are becoming organ donors and I think they’re showing up a lot of way to do it while I think a lot of people think you can only do it while renewing your driver’s license but that’s not the only way to become an organ donor.”

To learn more about becoming a donor, click here.

Adding “there are a lot of people waiting and there are a lot of people that pass away waiting and it doesn’t have to be that way.”

Shannon and her family is also setting up a fundraiser July 29th at the American Legion in Brick.

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