Couple's 2nd Baby Needs Heart Transplant, Too: 'We Are Broken'

WADING RIVER, NY — A Wading River couple whose first baby, Ruby June, received a miracle heart transplant for Christmas two years ago are facing the unthinkable: They were told this week that their second child, Everett, who will celebrate his first birthday on Dec. 30, also needs a new heart.

On Tuesday, Brian Cotter shared the heartbreaking news on Facebook: "Earlier today after a visit to the Stony Brook emergency room, Ruby’s little brother Everett (Buddy) was admitted to Columbia’s cardiac pediatric intensive care unit. One room over from where Ruby lived when she was sick," he said.

"Never in a million years did we think our happy, healthy boy would be where his sister was almost two years ago. He has an enlarged heart — cardiomyopathy — same as Ruby had."

Everett, he said, was intubated and sedated.

On Wednesday, he updated a caring community who has been praying for a second miracle:

"We are broken. We did all of the tests, the scans, the checks with nothing to show. He was thriving, happy, strong. But here we are again. There are no words to describe this feeling — our sweet boy. Last night Buddy lost his pulse for four minutes. He has since been put on ECMO to support his failing heart. Once he is stabilized, he will be bridged to transplant with a Berlin heart early next week and hopefully listed within the coming days for a new heart."

The community immediately rallied to support a family who is deeply loved.

Molly Waitz has organized a fundraiser to bring Christmas cheer to the Cotter family "as we adopt them as a community."

"Some of you may know the Cotter family as their sweet Ruby had a heart transplant in 2019," she said. "Yesterday he family faced the unimaginable and their son Everett needs a heart transplant, as well. No words could ever express what this family is going through. And now they are to be put through this during the holiday season."

Waitz said no donation is too small in her drive to bring smiles to their faces and some of the burden from their shoulders.

Waitz said she has a list of gifts for Ruby, who loves Minnie and Mickey Mouse, to draw, and Barbie dolls.

Brian and Ashley Cotter, she said, have requested Uber Eats or Door Dash gift cards so they don’t have to worry about food as they travel back and forth to New York to be with both children. Also, gift cards to Safari Adventure or the East End Children's Museum are welcomed for Ruby.

To donate, Waitz accepts Venmo (@molly-waitz) and PayPal at mollywaitz@gmail.com.

December 22 will mark two years since Ruby received her life-saving heart transplant; Ruby has touched countless lives with her story of hope.

On June 12, 2019, Ashley and Brian welcomed their daughter into the world.

"The joy they experienced was unknown before that very moment. However, on September 4, 2019, less than three months later, their joy was replaced with fear, horror, and uncertainty. Ruby appeared lethargic and her body temperature was low," a GoFundMe page at the time said.

Upon calling the pediatrician, her terrified parents were told to bring Ruby directly to the emergency room at Stony Brook University Hospital. "By the time they arrived, she was blue," the page said. "Once she was stabilized, she was transported to New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. After days of testing, she was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy."

As Ruby turned a year old, her parents spoke about their greatest gift.

And now, they are facing their worst fears, for a second time, just weeks before Christmas.

Cotter added that he could not believe he was even typing the words about his son's battle. "Please pray for our Buddy," he said. "This can’t be the end of his story."