JUSTIN’S HEART JOURNEY DINE TO DONATE AT SAUCY’S PIZZERIA

Justin’s heart journey began the day he was born, 9/6/05. He was diagnosed shortly after birth with multiple congenital heart defects including Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, Double Outlet Right Ventricle, and a Ventricular Septal Defect. He underwent a series of 3 open heart surgeries for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome – the Norwood Procedure on 9/13/05, the Glenn Procedure on 12/17/05 and the Fontan Procedure on 7/8/08. During a routine heart cath a few days before the Glenn Procedure, Justin suffered his first code (cardiac arrest) at the age of 3 months. At age 5, he was diagnosed with Sick Sinus Syndrome and had his first pacemaker placed on 11/16/10. On 10/22/19, Justin had surgery to replace his pacemaker and leads. During the surgery, he suffered his second code (a V-fib cardiac arrest) and his heart did not pump for 25 minutes. He was sent to the cardiac ICU on a ventilator and ECMO with his chest still open and on an external pacemaker. His new pacemaker was placed successfully on 10/24/19. During the week of 5/22/23 – 5/26/23, Justin went through heart transplant evaluation at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and was officially listed as a heart transplant candidate on the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) waiting list on 6/29/23. During June and July, Justin began HLA Antibody desensitization therapy where he traveled to St. Louis Children’s Hospital multiple times a week for IV infustions to prepare his body for transplant. These infsions were to help his body from rejecting the new heart he would receive and make his donor options greater.  On 08/11/23 Justin was admitted to the hospital. He was placed on an IV medication, milrinone, which is used for heart failure.  The decision was made by his cardiac team that Justin would remain in the hospital and his listing would be moved up to the top of the list while he awaited a donor heart to become available.  Over the next few weeks Justin was matched with several hearts, but they weren’t the best heart for him, per his medical team.  In the early morning hours of 09/04/23 Justin received a call that a heart donor was successfully matched and his medical team had accepted it.  On 09/05/23 Justin went to the operating room for transplant.  He would remain in surgery until the morning of his 18th birthday, 09/06/2023.  Justin remains in the hospita currently where there have been minor setbacks; but he is recovering and working hard to prepare himself to come home.  His discharge date is undetermined at this time.  Justin’s mom, Michelle Harmon, has remained with him at the hospital.  

Justin is the son of Michelle Harmon and Jerry (Jennifer) Harmon.  He is the grandson of Benny Hanson and Harold and Mary Harmon.  Justin is the brother of Jessica (Jeremy) Higginbotham, Rebecca Farr, Breanna Harmon, and Brendon Harmon.  Justin is the great nephew of Monsignor James Hanson.  

All Funds raise for COTA for Justin’s Heart Journey will help with transplant-related expenses, such as those incurred pre and post heart transplant for Justin.  

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.

Posted October 30, 2023November 6, 2023