Ayden went into acute heart failure and was rushed to the hospital at Fredonia, Kansas on February 7, 2016 during the Super Bowl. He was life flighted by helicopter to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. He arrived at Children’s Mercy Hospital via the Children’s Mercy Jet on February 8, 2016. He was placed on ECMO life Support on February 9, 2016. He had surgery to fix bleeding on February 10, 2016. On February 10, 2016 he was listed for heart transplant due to dilated cardiomyopathy. Ayden had some complications and flatlined on February 14, 2016. A meeting was held on February 15, 2016 to make decisions regarding Ayden and his removal from ECMO. During the meeting Ayden’s heart call came. Ayden was transplanted on February 16, 2016 at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas CIty, Missouri. He had an episode of PRES on February 21, 2016. Ayden has had treatment for rejection August 2017, March 2018, and February 2019. His heart condition was determined to have been caused by a genetic mutation of the SCN5A gene.

COTA has been generous and Ayden has recieved funds that assisted his family with his medical expenses. They have come at times when it was a blessing to his family. COTA raises funds for transplant related expenses for children like Ayden.