Matt's Heart Fund

In December, I received a phone call around lunch time. Matt called me to share the news that he had started a new job and the date was set and he and his fiancé, Miranda were getting married. They had found their perfect venue. He called as he was leaving there to tell me he had  just paid the deposit. It brought tears to my eyes, that our relationship had grown into what it had over the last couple years. He considered me a friend and a ‘bonus mom’. Even through the phone, I could tell that he was smiling and beaming with unspeakable joy. Many moons ago, Miranda had attended a youth ministry for several years until she had aged out. However, the relationship became more than that when she became a mentor and big sister to our daughter Maddy as she began to navigate through her teen years, middle school, and then high school. Matt and Miranda have selflessly given up personal time on a moments notice to provide care and comfort for my daughter on a moments notice. Anyone who follows Matt on social media knows that he is just “that guy” who sends you random cheer, (badly) “lip syncing” morning tunes on snapchat, updates on his outings supporting his niece and nephew, and most of all how he is enjoying life with Miranda. I am chronically ill and cannot do what normal mothers can do for their kids, my husband juggles our schedules well, but he also relies on Matt. Matt is the guy who makes time to be the big brother to Maddy; to talk to about their love for food, to be a role model of how a man should treat a woman, and what it means to be courted in this modern day of texting.  As a family, we have made it through some difficult obstacles because of the love and sacrifice on Matt and Miranda’s part. So I share Matt’s story from a perspective gratitude and love for all that they have done to help enhance our lives and bringing us support and even joy during hard times.




My heart is in a state of devastation as I share that on Saturday February 17th, Matt’s world turned upside down. I walked in the emergency room Sunday afternoon just after he and Miranda  were told by the cardiologist on duty, that he not only suffered a massive heart attack, but was now was in severe heart failure in which also forcing his body to go into cardiogenic shock. He was transported to University Maryland Medical Center which is the nearest heart specialty institution to begin his care. The next morning, a 45 minute procedure turned into a grueling 4 hours with a grim outlook from the first update. Nonetheless, after the procedure was finished they were able to stabilize Matt’s heart with putting in two stents and temporary balloon pump to help pump blood to his heart while his heart was in shock. The next 48 hours being very critical. He remained in Cardiac ICU longer than usual but the damage to his heart was more than cardiologists were accustomed to, in fact, they stated that his recovery would be quite difficult because the right artery was completely blocked off and had been for quite sometime to the point where it bypassed itself. Because of my compromised immune system, I could not be there daily. But because the person that he is, where even in his own difficulty, he  is more occupied with bringing positivity to others; he assured me he was fighting and making progress. i.e. when he sat up for the first time, and then eventually walked on his own. All I could do was cry out and thank God that his beautiful heart continue to grow stronger.




Days later, Matt is now faced with the reality that he has severe heart failure due to genetic heart disease and his new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. At this point his only care option is "Bridge to Transplant". The main goal of this care is may not need a transplant immediately, and there are options within this care for Matt to function with his current heart for as many years as possible with medications and when the time comes he will later require a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD). This may remain in place for several years until the road to heart transplant begins and a donor becomes available for a heart transplant, or the LVAD could be implanted as a permanent solution.

The financial burden of this new life transition requires him to limit activity and for him to be off of work for up to 8 weeks, which is very stressful for them. Medical costs are already mounting and upcoming procedures, medications and other needs haven’t even been factored in yet. We are there to support as much as we can, but we can’t help them financially.  For all the times that Matt and Miranda have shared or completely lifted the burden off of mine and many other’s shoulders, with your help and support, I would like to pay it forward by asking you to help me lift some burden off of their shoulders. No amount is too small or insignificant. A 100 percent of the donations will go directly to Matt. Through your financial donations, your positive thoughts and prayers, and especially by sharing this campaign we can pay it forward to Matt and Miranda’s for the selfless giving and charitable hearts in which they sacrificially have helped and given support to others. Thank you so much for getting to know Matt through my perspective. Matt's heart (physical and his character) is one that I would never want the world to miss out on. It is unique, humorous,  selfless, joyful, loving, kind and compassionate. It is a role model and example for how a man loves his bride, a son loves his mom, a brother loves a sister, an uncle loves his niece and nephew, and how a bro love his friends, but most of all how an individual loves his life so much that it outpours to others in love. Our lives are different after encountering such a rare heart in our lives. Your time to read and consideration of giving in any way, shape or form is truly appreciated. I hope to be able to share good reports as his journey moves forward for future updates.