The morning of 5/21/25, Aaron woke up with chest pains. A few minutes later, he began to sweat profusely, his chest burning. He got to the ER, and they tested for the substance in his blood that determines a heart attack. They found some. Tested it again an hour later, and the amount had gone up; he was indeed experiencing a cardiac event.

Aaron then went to the cardiac surgery room so they could place a stent in his left circumflex artery. It was 100% blocked. The doctors got it to open to 90%. Other blockages need to be tended to.

Next steps include lowering his diabetic and cholesterol levels before they can perform a bypass procedure, which will happen late June/early July.

"My brain didn't comprehend how this would slow me down. Not being able to work has driven my anxiety to the roof. I've received a touch of help this month. In the coming months, especially after a bypass surgery, I will have zero income. I am unfortunately in a spot where I'm not sure if there is a backup plan. Any help would be immensely appreciated," Aaron says.

Our friend Aaron has the biggest, albeit somewhat damaged right now, heart in the world. He would do anything for anyone and now is the time we can do something for him. He will have weeks and weeks of recovery time once he is cleared for open heart surgery, and anything we can do to come together for him during his time of need will help ease his anxiety- something that will help his heart health too.

I've known Aaron Balog since middle school. He is one of the most loving, empathetic, puts himself in anyone else's shoes to know what they're going through, kind of guy. He's not only my best friend but a brother and a member of my family through and through. His laugh and inclusivity are infectious.

Anything helps, even $5. Aaron appreciates it and so do we. Let's all help get Aaron healthy and back on his feet!

Besides medical bills, the funds will be used to pay ongoing bills like rent, utilities, and for groceries and other daily expenses.