Blood Drive Thursday Honors LI Siblings' Gifts Of Life-Saving Hearts

WADING RIVER, NY — Thursday marks three years since baby Ruby Cotter received her life-saving heart transplant — a Christmas gift like no other.

"This time of year will always be emotional. Three years ago today, we got the word that Ruby’s gift of life was coming. Tomorrow is her heart day!" Brian Cotter, Ruby's father, said Wednesday.

To honor the precious gift of life both the Cotter babies received — both Ruby and her baby brother, Everett, received heart transplants during recent months — a blood drive will be held Thursday at Shoreham-Wading River High School.

"Ruby and Everett both received their gift of life," a flyer said. "Help us to celebrate this special day by joining us to save more."

The "Blood Drive in Honor of Ruby and Everett," will take place between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the cafeteria of the high school, located at 250B Route 25A in Wading River. Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome. For information call 1-800-933-2566 or email KReutter@nybc.org.

Christmas is particularly meaningful this year for the Cotters, whose two children both are thriving after their life-saving heart transplants. And to make the season even more meaningful — this year marks the first time all four will be home together, and not in the hospital, for Christmas.

"Our true Christmas miracles," Brian Cotter wrote on Facebook this week.

Last December, Brian and Ashley Cotter faced the unthinkable: Two years after their first baby, Ruby June, now 3, received the gift of life when she had her heart transplant right before Christmas, they were told that their second child, Everett — affectionately called Buddy — who will celebrate his second birthday on Dec. 30, also needed a new heart.

In June, the Cotters got the news that their baby boy would have his second chance, Cotter said. Since the surgery, he's been getting better every day.

"He’s loving his new heart just as much as his heart loves him. He’s now six months post-transplant, so all the preventative medications can be stopped. We are so, so grateful— we will have our first Christmas together as a family of four," Cotter said.

Life has changed dramatically during the past 12 months for the Cotters.

"Last Christmas was, for lack of a better term, heartbreaking," Cotter said. They had just learned that Buddy had an enlarged heart — cardiomyopathy — the same as Ruby had, Cotter said. "We are broken. There are no words to describe this feeling — our sweet boy," he said at the time.

Trying desperately to navigate the unthinkable, the holiday was dark, Cotter said.

"Our family was separated. Buddy was at his worst. My wife was home with Ruby, trying to give her a happy, 'normal' Christmas. I was in the hospital with Bud. He was uncomfortable, sedated, sad. It was hard."

Twelve months later, the Cotter family is readying for a Christmas filled with light, love and so much gratitude. 'This year is hopefully going to be an amazing Christmas," Cotter said. "We are really trying to make it special, even though we know firsthand that just being together will make it amazing."