Cooper's Medical fund

Cooper Ascone is a four year old twin. During his young little life he has undergone four heart operations, three of which were open heart. At 17 months old, he was diagnosed with Shone’s Complex. A very rare form of heart disease that affects four parts of his heart. This form of heart disease is most often found during the pregnancy, or the first week of life. It is extremely rare that it is diagnosed at 17 months; Children usually die before they reach that age. Cooper is a fighter!
Two years ago, Cooper underwent his fourth heart operation. His mitral valve was so bad surgeons had to replace it. His parents researched any and all alternatives to the standard heart valve replacement which would require a specific diet and strong blood thinners. Boston Children’s hospital was starting a clinical study where they replaced a child’s mitral valve with a Melody Valve. The Melody Valve is designed as a replacement for the pulmonary valve. It is bovine tissue wrapped around a cardiac stent frame, with a bovine valve in the middle. The Melody Valve can be increased in size during a heart catherization. The Melody Valve does not require the patient to be on strong blood thinners, instead Cooper takes one baby aspirin a day. Cooper was the eighth child in the world to have the Melody Valve placed in the mitral position, first performed in New York.
Cooper has grown immensely over the past two years. His valve needs to be dilated to keep up with his growth. He is leaving for New York to have his Melody Valve made larger. His surgeons are optimistic that this procedure will go without any problems. However, the valve is large and blocking the blood leaving the heart, creating other issues for him. If the doctors are unable to reduce the pressures in his heart with a balloon dilation of his Melody Valve, they will have to replace it with another valve which means another heart surgery.
Cooper is very active and extremely happy. He is looking forward to his trip to New York. He is excited to see his family that he has not seen since his last open heart surgery, just two years ago. He knows that his catherization will go well, and he will only spend a few short days in the hospital. Cooper has been fighting this fight for his entire life, please donate what you can and fight with him!
Those of you that know the Ascone Family, know just how wonderful they are!! Some of you only know them through their story, but one thing we all have in common is our LOVE for this little boy!! You can't help but fall for this child. His story is compelling and heart breaking!! I know many of you want to help, but don't know how. Here is your chance. Insurance does not cover all these surgeries, and Cooper is going to need more through his life. The Ascone's are faced with so many medical bills. Please help lessen the incredible burden this family is dealing with. As always, they will keep us all posted on how this visit to NY will go. Lots of prayers their way!! Please share this on your Facebook page.