The third annual golf tournament to benefit the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA), in honor of Jacob Porter, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7. Jacob is a lifelong Highland resident who had a lifesaving liver transplant in December 2009. The tournament will be at Apple Greens Golf Course in Highland. Registration begins at noon, followed by a shotgun start at 1 p.m.
Porter was born in 1991 and in 2007, after what was thought to be a severe case of food poisoning, was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis and sclerosing cholangitis. Despite being so ill, he graduated from Highland High School in 2009 and began his studies at RPI. A very determined and hard-working young man, he made the Dean’s List both semesters of his freshman year. He began his sophomore year, but his health deteriorated and he was forced to leave college. At that time it was determined that he needed a liver transplant in order to survive and because of his health, was forced to stay in Pittsburgh awaiting a liver. His parents, Don and Elaine Vespe Porter, took turns traveling back and forth to Pittsburgh to stay with him while the other stayed home to tend to their other four children.
On Dec. 17, 2009 Porter received a new liver. The family was faced with enormous uncovered medical expenses as a result of the transplant and continued medical treatments and medications. They asked COTA, who’s priority is to assure that no child is denied a transplant or excluded from a transplant wait list due to a lack of money. One hundred percent of all funds raised are used for patients’ transplant-related expenses.
This golf tournament is being held as a fundraiser for COTA. The cost for golfers is $135, which includes lunch, 18 holes of golf and carts, goodie bags, a barbecue dinner, refreshments and a variety of prizes and raffle items. In addition, golfers have a chance to win a Nissan (courtesy of Kingston Nissan) with a hole in one. Those that would like to just attend the dinner can do so for $35.
Businesses who would like to help out with sponsorships or donations have many different choices. All information, including a registration form and sponsorship/donation form, can be found at www.golf4jacob.net. Any questions can be sent to rsdemaio@optonline.net.
Join the family! 
