Our son, Oliver (Ollie) Fox Payton, was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) at 36 weeks gestation—a rare and severe congenital heart defect where the left side of the heart is underdeveloped and cannot effectively pump blood to the body. It was heartbreaking news for us as first-time parents, but from the moment of his birth, Ollie has shown us nothing but strength, resilience, and fight.

With the help of an incredible team at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, we made a plan to give Ollie the best chance at life. He was delivered on April 14, 2025, via C-section in a specialized cardiac OR, where a team stood ready to perform an emergency procedure. But in a powerful answer to prayer, Ollie didn’t need it. His heart was stable enough without immediate intervention. He was admitted to the pediatric cardiac ICU and supported with medication as we prepared for the expected first-stage heart surgery for HLHS – the Norwood procedure.

However, after being transferred to the center at UF Health Shands for further evaluation, Ollie’s medical team determined that he wasn’t a strong candidate for the traditional three-surgery path that most HLHS kids take. Instead, they made the difficult but crucial decision to list him for a heart transplant. 

This is a path no parent hopes for, as it means another family must endure unimaginable loss in order to give Ollie the gift of life. But we know this is the best and most hopeful course for his future. A new heart will give him the opportunity to live with full function, to run, play, explore, and to grow up with fewer limitations.

In the meantime, Ollie underwent a complex “hybrid VAD” procedure on May 7th. This surgery combined elements of the Norwood with the placement of a Ventricular Assist Device—a type of external heart—to keep him stable and strong while we wait. True to form, Ollie powered through the procedure and is already recovering like the little champion he is. He continues to amaze us and his care team every day with his courage and tenacity.

We believe with all our hearts that God is walking with us through this journey. From the timing of Ollie’s diagnosis to the moments of unexpected mercy, we have seen His hand guiding every decision and opening every door. It’s not the path we imagined, but we know He is working all things together for Ollie’s good—and we are trusting Him every step of the way.

Thank you for following our journey, for praying with us, and for donating to COTA for Ollie Fox to help us give our boy the best chance at a full and joyful life.

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.