The Department of New Jersey cared for an Air Force family after two of the their young children underwent liver transplants.
The American Legion has been a longtime supporter of the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) through American Legion Child Welfare Foundation grants, fundraising efforts and support to families at the local level. This support has ensured that the mission of COTA is met, which is to provide financial assistance to families across the country whose child or young adult needs a life-saving organ, bone marrow or stem cell transplant.
“The American Legion Family has stepped up yet again to serve our nation, and recently to help our most vulnerable citizens – transplant children,” said COTA President and CEO Rick Lofgren. “The Legion Family helps kids throughout the country and has done so for nearly 40 years with COTA, and they have again demonstrated they believe in service above self.”
The Ward family is a testament to the Legion Family’s support of COTA families.
Josef and Nicole Ward and their three young children currently live in Los Angeles where Josef is stationed with the U.S. Space Force. Prior to living in California, Josef was stationed in New Jersey with the U.S. Air Force where the family was caring for the health needs of their two young children, Jude and Lucille, who underwent liver transplants. In caring for Jude and Lucille, the Ward family found another family – the Department of New Jersey Legion Family.
The New Jersey Legion Family provided support by hosting fundraisers and donating to COTA to ensure families like the Wards receive assistance for transplant-related expenses such as prescription copayments, hotel accommodations near transplant hospitals, gas, food and more. And the Wards “were blessed with an all expenses paid weeklong vacation by the Ocean City (Post 524) American Legion,” Nicole said. “It was such a blessing to be able to spend that time together to rest and recharge.”
The New Jersey Legion Family also became the Wards’ support system when they moved from Florida where they had established connection with other Air Force families.
“We moved to New Jersey and had to start all over again working to build connections and a support system,” Josef said. “Trying to do that with sick children is nearly impossible. The American Legion is full of people who understand the struggle of military life and the sacrifices made by military families. We know that no matter where we are, we will always have the support from like-minded people who just get it.”
Jude, 10, and Lucille, 7, are thriving in their new home in Los Angeles where COTA and The American Legion will continue to be part of their support network and family.
“When we experience hardships, we all want to feel like we’re not alone,” Nicole said. “With The American Legion behind us, we never worry that we have to face life’s challenges alone as a military family. When The American Legion supports organizations like COTA, children like Jude and Lucille are granted the opportunity to have access to the best healthcare in the country. They are able to have their parents by their side, making recovery an all-around smoother process. Transplant is a lifelong journey, one that requires constant lab work, medication changes, and follow-up appointments with various specialists.
“The future for our children is bright because of organizations like COTA and The American Legion working together.”
- Child Welfare