My story begins on July 1, 1999 when I was born and soon after diagnosed with congenital heart disease (Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome HLHS).  My parents were told within 6 hours of my birth that I would need an open-heart transplant someday.  I was transferred to All Children’s Hospital in Saint Petersburg, Florida and at just 6 days old, I had my first heart surgery and then had an additional 2 major open heart surgeries before I was 3 years old.  The procedure I underwent was a Norwood procedure with a Modified BT Shunt at day 6 of life and shortly after that at a few months old a Hemi-Fontan. When I was 2 years old I had the third palliative open heart procedure called a Fontan procedure. These procedures helped me and my family enjoy many good years together until I was 18 years old and enrolled as an honors student at the University of Central Arkansas.

      There have been several times when the cardiology teams have considered that a heart transplant was necessary and finally the long-term effects have begun to take their toll on my other organs – leading to the decision that it is now time to put me on the critical list for a new heart at Children’s Hospital in St Louis. I see this as another step in God’s plan for my life and know he is faithful and will cause all things to work together for my good. I am excited about the opportunities ahead of me after the heart transplant. I hope to continue my studies in secondary education and history on campus but am currently taking a full load of online classes while I am here waiting in the hospital in St. Louis. After graduating from college, I plan on teaching history to middle school students – specifically 7th grade. I would also like to continue participating in ministry as well wherever God best sees fit to use me.

     I want to thank so many of you who have kept me and my family in your thoughts and prayers as they are what strengthens me spiritually and mentally while here at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.  I am excited about the opportunities ahead of me after the heart transplant.  I hope to continue my studies at the University of Central Arkansas, and carry on with my majors in both secondary education and history.  After graduating from college I plan on teaching history and desire to teach upper middle school students (specifically 7th grade).  I would like to continue participating in ministry as well wherever God best sees fit to use me. I want to leave you with this thought from James.  

     My parents, Larry and Bettina are facing several challenges – raising 4 teenagers, being apart while we wait for a heart to be available, the uncertainty of my fragile health, and now a big financial burden too. The typical heart transplant costs can be well over $1 million and though insurance and Medicaid may cover a large part, we anticipate over $75,000 in future bills. Please consider making a donation to COTA in my honor – anything helps! Finally, and most importantly, I want to thank so many of you who have kept me and my family in your thoughts and prayers as they are what strengthens us spiritually and mentally while waiting for a heart. 

     Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  James 1:2-4

     The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) helps children and young adults who need a life-saving transplant by providing fundraising assistance and family support. COTA is the nation’s only fundraising organization solely dedicated to raising life-saving dollars in honor of transplant-needy children and young adults. 100% of each contribution made to COTA in honor of our patients helps meet transplant-related expenses. COTA’s services are free to our families, and gifts to COTA are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.