11/27/2024
Meet precious Jack! This little kiddo is my hero❤️ His story is below. He is the recipient this year of my annual Children’s Event. If you would like to donate please follow event link in the comments. ❤️❤️❤️❤️Let’s make this event the best ever❤️
From Jack’s mommy:
Jack, our smiley 14 month old, has had an eventful and unique first year. In February 2024, he began to experience sporadic symptoms that led to a trip to the emergency room. They determined that his heart was enlarged and flew him to Children's National. He was diagnosed with a heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy, which meant his enlarged heart lost its ability to pump blood effectively. Due to the severity of his heart failure, he was put on a Berlin Heart EXCOR® Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) in April. From April until August, the Berlin Heart worked as Jack’s heart. He unfortunately experienced complications, including two strokes and a significant surgery to improve the function of his digestion. However, he finally received the gift of a new heart in August, one week before his first birthday! His progress post-transplant has thankfully been consistent, even though his journey to recovery is just beginning. We hope to be discharged and home before Christmas. We will miss the incredible staff at Children's, but our families, and especially Jack's older brother, can't wait to celebrate the holidays and enjoy the beauty of life together again.