A Heart Like "Big T"

Everyone has a story, and there are thousands of people both needing help and helping those in need.  In our lifetime, our family has been on both sides of that coin as I am sure your family has probably been as well.  We are currently in a situation where Big "T", our beloved brother, son, husband, father and friend is in need of your help.  20 years ago, Tom was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure.  Doctors think that it was a virus that attacked the heart muscles... Unfortunately, that diagnosis has finally caught up and now, at only 42 years young, Tom is facing a very rough road of life.  He was recently admitted into ICU at MUSC in Charleston where he was in the final days of his life.  Only 2 chances of life were possible... A heart transplant or a LVAD.  He wasn't approved for the transplant due to his weak physical state but the LVAD was approved.  The LVAD is an artificial pump that is sutured to the lower left portion of his heart and it is basically pumping his heart for him.  It is powered by a battery and electrical powered cord that exits through his right side abdomen.  It is connected to a controller which is powered by 2 batteries.  The maximum life of this device is approximately 10 years.  The doctors will continue to re-evaluate him for a transplant if he is able to increase his strength.

This medical reality has  him in the hospital for a number of weeks followed by a stay in a local hotel / condo for the next 2 months.  This leaves him unable to work, his wife unable to work full time, travel back and forth and care for him full time for the immediate future.  

We are graciously asking for your help! From food, to travel to local housing, to medical bills and normal living costs.  Everything is extremely tough right now.  

We are asking for any financial support you can offer... anything will help!  We are also asking for your prayers.  The only real chance of long term life is a heart transplant and he needs significant strength improvement for that and relief of stress from this financial burden for his family.

Thank you for your consideration and for your friendship!