Alyssa and Tyler welcomed baby Lainey six weeks early in August 2025. After spending some time in the NICU, she was finally able to go home and meet her very proud, husky big brother.

In November, Lainey began having difficulty breathing. An emergency room visit and chest X-ray revealed that her heart was larger than expected, leading to her first ambulance ride to a hospital specializing in congenital heart disease. Further testing showed she had a coarctation, a narrowing of the aorta, which required surgical repair shortly thereafter.

Despite surgery, Lainey’s heart continued to struggle to pump blood effectively to the rest of her body. She was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and heart failure, and transferred to a new hospital for specialized care by the Heart Failure and Transplant Team.

After much consideration, Lainey received a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), known as the Berlin Heart, and was officially placed on the Pediatric Heart Transplant List on January 16, 2026. She will remain in the hospital until she receives her hero heart.

Through it all, Lainey continues to show her strength and spirit. She is learning to sit up and loves greeting the staff who have become such an important part of her journey.

Transplant-related expenses can be overwhelming, so we have joined with the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA), a national charity based in Bloomington, Indiana. COTA is dedicated to organizing and guiding families in raising funds. Funds raised for COTA in honor of Lainey will assist with a LIFETIME of transplant-related expenses.  Help raise $60,000 for COTA in honor of Lainey!