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.

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.