Teen battling cystic fibrosis can count on 365 Coke days

By Andrea J. Cook, Journal staff | Friday, June 27, 2008

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A routine doctor's visit Thursday turned into a bit of a two-pronged celebration for Randy Mott.

Not only did Randy, 14, tip the scales at a hefty 91 pounds, but Coca-Cola Bottling Company of the Black Hills surprised him with a Coke a day for the next year.

"Right on," Randy exclaimed when his physician, Dr. Stephen Parys, carried four cases of canned pop into his examining room at Black Hills Pediatrics and Neonatology.

Tura Synhorst, vice-president of corporate administration for Coca-Cola Bottling Company High Country, delivered the Coke and enough gift cards to keep Randy supplied with a daily soda for 384 days.

"He'll have to ration them," Synhorst said, joking.

Synhorst also presented Randy with a bright red Coca-Cola T-shirt.

"Awesome," Randy said, hastily pulling the shirt on. "I'll wear this shirt with pride."

Randy has cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that affects his lungs, making it difficult for him to breathe and digest food.

The slight, redhead's average weight hovered between 68 and 69 pounds last fall, said his mom, Debi Mott.

Weight is critical for the teen, who has struggled most of his life to gain weight.

"I'm second on the list, for my blood type, for a transplant," Randy said. "I'm so ready."

He calmly explained that second place has the potential to become first place if lungs become available. The first person on the list is an adult, he said. "If they're too small, I'll get them."

In April, Randy was facing a trip to Denver Children's Hospital, when Dr. Parys' nurse, Delores Gisi asked if there was anything he needed.

"He said, 'Life would be great if I could just have a Coke every day,'" Gisi said. "It was such a simple thing."

Not long after that clinic call, Randy left for a month-long stay in Denver Children's Hospital. He has been back home for about four weeks.

Randy's simple request struck a chord with Gisi. She wrote a letter to Coca-Cola Bottling Company of the Black Hills that ended up on Synhorst's desk.

"We're so happy to be doing this," Synhorst said. "It's such an honor to grant someone's wish. It's not every day you get to do that."

Gisi was thrilled by Coca-Cola's ready response. "They came through magnanimously," she said.

Money is tight for Randy and Debi Mott and their four children, Gisi said.

"I have a hard time keeping this in the house," Debi Mott said, nodding toward the cases of stacked soda.

On Saturday, another of Randy's wishes will be granted when Make-A-Wish Foundation takes him on a local shopping trip.

His shopping list includes a Wii, video games, a skateboard, an acoustic guitar, new amplifier, "art stuff" and clothes.

Next to playing the guitar, skateboarding is his "second main thing," Randy said.

And then, there's a very cold can of Coke, "no ice."

"I'm fixing to crack one of these babies open," said the feisty teen, who refuses to let his illness stop him from enjoying life.

Contact Andrea Cook at 394-8423 or andrea.cook@rapidcityjournal.com