Cota doing fine after long year

By NATHAN LAMB | Milton Independent Staff Writer
mireporter@mac.com

Just over a year after being diagnosed with cancer, Georgia resident Jeff Cota is on his way to a full recovery.

Jeff Cota learned a lot about people's generosity this past year, and conversely also about their shortcomings.

Though Cota had always been popular with his peers, the basketball standout and senior at Milton High School said getting diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer in November of 2006—and the subsequent outpouring of support—really taught him what was important.

Speaking at the close of 2007, Cota was happy to report that he’s cancer free and that things are getting back to normal.

“I’m doing well,” he said. I just finished chemo last month…and I’m back to work.”

Between graduating high school and beating cancer, Cota termed 2007 a life-changing year; but added there were some important lessons about people as well.

Early on, when Cota lost his hair from chemotherapy, his basketball teammates shaved their heads too as a sign of solidarity. Though cancer sidelined Cota for the season, he was still on the squad and kept in close touch with his coach and teammates, who held fundraisers for him throughout the season.

Support was also there from the community at large, and Cota’s former workplace, the Milton Hannaford, was abuzz with support for Cota and questions about how he was doing. Cota’s mother Rebecca said that literally hundreds of people got involved by the time it was all over.

“We heard from total strangers, people who were out of state, who had gone through similar circumstances…who offered tons and tons of support,” she said. “It is amazing when you go through something like this to see how kind-hearted people are.”

Cota’s story took another turn last January, when he became known across New England after thieves stole about $1,500 of entertainment hardware--including an X-Box 360--from his home.

Cota was in a Boston hospital undergoing surgery when the theft happened, and his parents initially held-off on telling him about it. In the meantime, people from across the region

rallied to make things good for Cota: radio hosts Charlie and Ernie on WVMT 620 led the charge by asking their listeners to donate toward a new game system for Cota. Their call for action raised over $1,000.

The story eventually found its way onto news broadcasts across New England, but Cota learned about it from his parents, who told him both of the theft and the outpouring from well-wishers. Speaking in December, Cota said it was quite an experience

“It could have been something that was really bad and negative, but as soon as the TV news and papers got a hold of it, the community turned it into something positive,” he said.

The X-Box thieves were arrested shortly after: Jordan Bristol of St. Albans, and Tyler Wimble of Essex were charged with felony burglary, while Brendan Eary of Georgia was charged as an accessory after the fact.

None of the trio knew Cota, but had visited the house one day before the theft for a party held by Cota’s sister. All three later admitted to theft in court and were given four-year suspended sentences.

Asked about the thieves’ sentencing, Cota said he was just glad to put that part of the story behind him.

The cancer has taken longer to get over: though recent tests indicate Cota has beat the disease, he’s still recuperating from the lengthy battle; While he can’t run or jump just yet, Cota said he’s expecting a full recovery.

In the meantime, Cota is working at the St. Albans Hannaford. At this point, he’s considering his next step, and obviously relieved that things are “back-to-normal” for 2008.

“It’s been quite a year,” he said.