Wirt Family Heart Transplant Journey
Donation protected
Hello all! My name is Amanda and I’m raising funds for my dear friends the Wirt Family. This is a brief glimpse into their story:
Thirteen year old Christopher (he prefers to be called Chris) is the youngest of three sons of Robert and Rachel Wirt. Chris’s parents describe him as compassionate, tenacious, and stoic. In his free time Chris enjoys building Legos, solving Rubik's cubes, inventing recipes to try, fishing, playing video games and baseball. He also loves digging in the sand at the beach and biking at the Fort Stevens State Park trails.
Chris was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart which means what should be the strongest side of the heart that pumps blood throughout the body is very underdeveloped while some pieces are absent. Chris has endured four open heart surgeries, the first at just seven days old, and countless other surgeries and procedures in his short life. The most recent heart surgery in July 2022 didn’t go as planned. Chris was not recovering well in the ICU and was eventually taken by ambulance to Seattle Children's Hospital. Upon Chris’s arrival to SCH, the team told his parents they would do all they could, but that Chris would eventually need a heart transplant.
Fast forward to September 2023. Chris has had a few hiccups that sent him to the hospital this year, but overall has gotten stronger and has learned how to cope with taking pills, lab draws, and check-ups. Recently, he has started losing weight as his body struggles with pressures and the ability to absorb any nutrients, which over time will make him weak. The Seattle Children's Hospital team has decided it is time to evaluate Chris for transplant and list him. His team says he could be there waiting for a heart anywhere from three to five months or longer.
We are asking for monetary help during this time for expenses, travel, and bills as home base is in Warrenton, OR and Rachel and Chris will be up in Seattle for what is looking to be a long hospital stay with Robert and the rest of the family going back and forth between Oregon and the hospital. The Wirt family will also graciously take all the prayers, well wishes and support you can offer them during this most difficult time.
Thirteen year old Christopher (he prefers to be called Chris) is the youngest of three sons of Robert and Rachel Wirt. Chris’s parents describe him as compassionate, tenacious, and stoic. In his free time Chris enjoys building Legos, solving Rubik's cubes, inventing recipes to try, fishing, playing video games and baseball. He also loves digging in the sand at the beach and biking at the Fort Stevens State Park trails.
Chris was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart which means what should be the strongest side of the heart that pumps blood throughout the body is very underdeveloped while some pieces are absent. Chris has endured four open heart surgeries, the first at just seven days old, and countless other surgeries and procedures in his short life. The most recent heart surgery in July 2022 didn’t go as planned. Chris was not recovering well in the ICU and was eventually taken by ambulance to Seattle Children's Hospital. Upon Chris’s arrival to SCH, the team told his parents they would do all they could, but that Chris would eventually need a heart transplant.
Fast forward to September 2023. Chris has had a few hiccups that sent him to the hospital this year, but overall has gotten stronger and has learned how to cope with taking pills, lab draws, and check-ups. Recently, he has started losing weight as his body struggles with pressures and the ability to absorb any nutrients, which over time will make him weak. The Seattle Children's Hospital team has decided it is time to evaluate Chris for transplant and list him. His team says he could be there waiting for a heart anywhere from three to five months or longer.
We are asking for monetary help during this time for expenses, travel, and bills as home base is in Warrenton, OR and Rachel and Chris will be up in Seattle for what is looking to be a long hospital stay with Robert and the rest of the family going back and forth between Oregon and the hospital. The Wirt family will also graciously take all the prayers, well wishes and support you can offer them during this most difficult time.
Organizer and beneficiary
Amanda Figueroa
Organizer
Ocean Park, WA
Robert Wirt
Beneficiary