The LaForest Family

Hi everyone! As most of you know our Aidan has been on the heart transplant list since July 16, 2021. The past few months his heart/body have shown signs of getting weaker. His transplant team has decided that it is nearing the time we need to admit him to "wait" the remainder of his time -in the hospital until his new/healthy heart becomes available. With that being said, they are allowing our family to remain together for the holiday's (as long as nothing emergent arises). The goal is to admit Aidan in early January.

I always post on my personal FB page updates on Aidan and our family, so many people have asked and continue to ask what we need or how they can help. Over the years, we truly only needed prayers. Please pray without ceasing as they truly help! Years ago when Aidan was first listed, I promised a few fellow heart moms that as the time came, I would accept help and finally let others do for my family.

A very dear friend and fellow heart mom constantly reminds me of what our family does for Hope for Hearts (our non profit -of which has been on hold due to covid/Aidan being listed) along with all our fundraising efforts we've done over the years. I was reminded that Hope for Hearts raised over $175,000 for the treatment, research and hope for children like my Aidan whom have "special hearts" and we've given so much hope to families like mine and comfort to those who needed it most.

Yes! We absolutely did that and we will continue to do so once it is safe again and Aidan is fully recovered. Hope for Hearts was inspired by our Aidan.

No one every wants to say, "hey we need help or we can use some help", it's hard and simply embarrassing. The fact is, things are about to drastically change for our family in the next month. There will be so many more "unknowns", so much time spent apart from each other, so much traveling back and forth from home to hospital and hospital to home, so much ADDED expenses of gas, food, etc), Kris will get SOME time off work but will also HAVE to work throughout Aidan's transplant journey and beyond and then there's always the worry about medical bills. The world won't stop for us!

So as you can imagine our stress weighs heavy and deep but our hearts are hopeful and grateful.

Fellow heart moms/friends insisted that I allow them to set this page up for my family. So here it is. Instead, of allowing the heart moms to set the page up in honor of our family, I decided to do it myself- so that I was able to make updates as so many people follow Aidan's journey and have become personally vested.

As Aidan says, "this is all so terrifying"!

This GoFundMe page is a great way to help our family with any expenses that may arise from the "unknown" duration of time we will spend in the hospital with Aidan.

I also have a Venmo account I can share if you prefer that method.

If you are unable to support financially, we totally understand and respect that as times as tough for all of us but a simple share of our page will get more PRAYERS for our family, other means of support and bring awareness to CHDs (Congenital Heart Defects).

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love, support, consideration and especially PRAYERS.

Jamie and Kris LaForest