Family and friends of Cooper Pierce are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with a Transplant. Cooper has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because donations are tax deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses.
A Journey of Hope and Perseverance
My son, Cooper, is a true fighter. At just 23, he has already endured more than most people could imagine. In 2018, Cooper was given a second chance at life when he received a heart and lung transplant. For years, he lived with a renewed sense of hope, despite ongoing health challenges. But in January 2023, everything changed when his lungs began to suffer from chronic rejection. The battle to preserve the life-saving organs he had received was long and grueling, and by 2024, Cooper’s health had taken a dangerous turn.
After receiving denials for a lung transplant from UAB, Duke University, and Vanderbilt University, we felt as though the doors were closing. But then, in November of 2023, Cooper was accepted to the Cleveland Clinic, one of the leading transplant centers in the world. He was placed on the transplant list in February 2024. But that was only the beginning of his fight.
A Life in Crisis
In August 2024, Cooper had a terrifying event. He was found unresponsive and rushed to the ER at UAB after his oxygen levels dangerously desaturated. It was touch and go. He was then flown by air ambulance to the Cleveland Clinic, where he was placed on ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) to help support his failing lungs while waiting for a transplant.
The days following his arrival at Cleveland Clinic were filled with uncertainty and fear. We watched Cooper endure unimaginable challenges, all while hoping for a donor match that would save his life. Finally, on November 8, 2024, Cooper received his second lung transplant—a second chance at life that he so desperately needed.
But while we are filled with gratitude and relief, the battle is far from over. Cooper’s recovery will be a long and difficult road, and the financial burdens of this journey are immense.
The Road Ahead: Why We Need Your Help
The cost of Cooper’s care has quickly become overwhelming. The expenses associated with his second transplant are staggering, and despite our insurance, there are significant out-of-pocket costs that we need help covering. Here’s where we need your support:
- Medical Expenses: Cooper will require intensive post-transplant care, including medications, follow-up visits, and treatments to ensure his body accepts the new lungs and that complications are avoided. These costs continue for the long term and can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- Travel & Transportation: We live in Alabama, and Cleveland Clinic is located in Ohio. The constant travel—flights, accommodations, and meals—has been a major financial strain. We’ve had to relocate temporarily for Cooper’s care, and it’s been a constant balancing act to ensure he receives the best possible care while managing the costs.
- Air Ambulance and ECMO: The emergency airlift and ECMO treatment were life-saving, but they also came with enormous bills. These life-saving procedures are necessary but come with an associated cost that isn’t fully covered by insurance.
- Family Support: As Cooper continues his recovery, one of us needs to be by his side every step of the way. This means taking time off work and being away from home for extended periods, all while trying to manage the mounting bills.
How You Can Help Cooper Heal
We are humbly reaching out to our community, family, and friends to help us bear the financial burden of Cooper’s recovery. Here’s how you can make a difference:
- Donate: Every contribution, no matter how small, will directly support Cooper’s recovery. Your generosity will help cover his medical bills, travel costs, and the ongoing expenses that come with transplant care. Your donation will bring Cooper one step closer to a full recovery.
- Share Cooper’s Story: If you are unable to donate, you can still make a difference by sharing Cooper’s campaign with your network. The more people who know about his journey, the more likely we are to reach our goal and provide Cooper with the financial support he needs.
- Leave a Message of Encouragement: Your words of support and encouragement mean more to us than you know. Knowing that Cooper has a community of people cheering him on and praying for his recovery gives us strength when we need it the most.
A Heartfelt Thank You
We are beyond grateful for the love and support we’ve received so far on this journey. Cooper has been through so much, and we are hopeful that with your help, he can continue to heal and reclaim his life. The road ahead is still uncertain, but with each passing day, we see more of Cooper’s strength and resilience shining through.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your generosity, your prayers, and your unwavering support. With your help, Cooper’s second chance at life will not only be a reality—it will be a future full of hope, joy, and endless possibilities.
With gratitude and love,
Cooper’s large group of Family and Friends!
