By MADDY VITALE
Ocean City American Legion Post 524 Commander Bob Marzulli said he became emotional when he learned of a military family of five, in which two of the children needed liver transplants.
Marzulli, along with other Post 524 representatives, asked the business community during the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce meeting at the Flanders Hotel on March 12, to consider helping the Ward family through the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA).
“We brought some brochures and packets today explaining what COTA is,” Marzulli explained. “If you’ve ever been involved with a COTA family -- this is the first time for me -- it really tugs at your heart. Take a packet if you desire and we will be around to talk to you personally.”
Air Force Tech Sgt. Josef Ward and his wife, Nicole, of Fort Dix, N.J., formerly of Coral Springs, Fla., have three children, Josiah, 6, Jude, 4, and 1-year-old daughter, Lucie.
Jude started having seizures at just four weeks of age, according to a press release provided by the America Legion.
It was determined that the child suffered from Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, an inherited genetic disorder that leads to cirrhosis of the liver.
American Legion Post 524 adopts the Ward family for 2020.
Josef and Nicole completed program materials to become a COTA family. With COTA, the responsibility of fundraising shifts to a community team of trained volunteers.
Marzulli and Auxiliary President AnneMarie Maiknor explained to the Chamber that the Ocean City American Legion chose the South Jersey family in need and is committed to raising $10,000 in honor of Jude and Lucie Ward.
“We pledge to raise $10,000 by May, and also the same next year,” Maiknor told the crowd. “We are hoping you will help us. We think it is a wonderful thing to raise money for this family.”
COTA campaigns are named in honor of the transplant recipient and are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law; COTA funds are available to the family for a lifetime of transplant-related expenses.
Fundraising efforts by volunteers of COTA for Team Ward helped make Jude’s liver transplant surgery a success on July 20, 2017. In total, COTA raised $60,000 in funds for the Ward family.
COTA has supported the Ward family through the challenge of Jude’s transplant, and they continue to help today, nearly two years later, according to the release.
“Life after a transplant is a balance of enjoying life, but also being mindful of keeping Jude healthy,” Nicole Ward said. “The biggest blessing our family has received from Jude’s journey of hope is the blessing of perspective.”
Now, Lucie needs a liver transplant.
Nicole expressed why COTA is such an important part of their lives.
“Without COTA, we simply would not have been able to provide our son with the opportunity to receive the best medical care possible for his disease,” she said. “I do not know how to begin to express my gratitude for The Children’s Organ Transplant Association.”
After Marzulli and Maiknor told the business community about COTA and the Ward family, Michele Gillian, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, said a few words.
She first told the members of Post 524 that they are appreciated for all they do for the community and then she said the Chamber supports them in their endeavors.
“We welcome you. We thank the American Legion for all they do for our veterans and active duty,” Gillian said. “We commend all of their activities. We thank you for your service.”
For more information call American Legion Post 524 at 609-398-1751 or visit www.legion524ocnj.org. People may also visit COTA.org.
