Siblings' 2 Transplants Marked By Blood Drive: 'Truly A Miracle'
WADING RIVER, NY — Five years after a baby girl received a life-saving transplant in 2019, the miracle still feels just a heartbeat away.
Ruby June Cotter received her new heart just before Christmas. Her father Brian Cotter told Patch that this December 22, the “heart” day was marked by gratitude, and always will be — as their family honors the donor who gave their daughter the chance to live and realize her dreams.
“It was truly a Christmas miracle. A day we will never forget,” Cotter said.
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To that end, once again, the Cotter family will host a blood drive in honor of both their children — Brian and Ashley’s little boy, Everett, or “Buddy,” as he is lovingly called, also received the gift of life when he, too, needed a heart transplant, within two years of his sister’s.
New York Blood Center will be hosting a blood drive at Shoreham-Wading River High School on Friday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 pm. in the high school cafeteria. The blood drive will be in honor of Ruby and Everett Cotter.
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Blood donors who participate will receive a $15 Topgolf game play gift card and their choice of a festive pair of socks or a beanie, as part of an effort to boost donations during the challenging winter season; a time when donations are typically down, NYBC said.
Ruby and Everett were both diagnosed as infants with the same severe heart condition, dilated cardiomyopathy, which causes the heart to enlarge and struggle to pump blood effectively, NYBC said.
The siblings both required heart transplants and multiple blood transfusions between 2019 and 2022. Ruby underwent her heart transplant in December 2019, and just two years later, the Cotter family learned that their second child, Everett, also needed a transplant. Everett received his new heart in June 2022.
“The Cotter family is now calling on the Long Island community to donate blood in an effort to ensure others have access to the same life-saving donations that helped save both of their children,” NYBC said.
The holiday season, NYBC added, is historically challenging for the blood supply, as school breaks, family vacations and holiday travel all contribute to making blood donation less of a priority. Hospitals and patients rely on a steady flow of volunteer donors, but recent years have been marked by chronic blood shortages nationwide.
Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. The Food and Drug Administration recently lifted several blood donor eligibility restrictions. To view current eligibility guidelines, click here or call 800-688-0900.
In past interviews, Cotter reflected on the day Ruby received her transplant. “She was just six months old. It’s hard to relive the emotions of that day. Being happy and relieved, but also terrified. Not to mention the sadness of knowing a family lost their baby. Although we celebrate her heart day once a year like a birthday, we think about Ruby’s donor every day. We are so lucky to have her. She’s so funny and so smart. An old, sensitive soul. An amazing big sister and just an overall sweetheart.”
The everyday milestones are miracles, again and again. This year, just like children across Long Island and the nation everywhere, Ruby Cotter and her little brother Everett posed for first-day-of-school photos, Ruby grinning as she boarded the big yellow bus.
All was blessedly normal for the Cotter family — something the children’s parents will never take for granted.
“We’re always grateful for these moments,” Brian wrote on Facebook along with the first-day-of-school photos. “Grateful they have the opportunity to grow and learn and live their lives. They have come such a long way. We couldn’t be happier for them. So proud.”
Speaking with Patch, Cotter expressed just how much the little moments mean simply everything. “We are just so proud of our little warriors. There were times in the past where the future was so uncertain. We didn’t know what would happen,” he said.
He added: “Fast forward to us watching Ruby get on the bus to kindergarten. She walked up the steps to the bus and waved goodbye with a smile. Conquering her fears as usual. Her brother by her side, watching her pave the way. It’s just as unbelievable experience to be their father. I am so lucky to watch my children overcome and persevere. Every moment is a moment that almost didn’t happen — and we are in a constant state of gratitude.”
The holiday season will forever be deeply meaningful.
“Our true Christmas miracles,” Cotter wrote on Facebook. “We are forever grateful.”
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