Jonahs Battle with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Jonah now has a fb page that is updated almost daily it’s called A Heart Like Jonah if you would like to follow his Journey with Pediatric Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Hi, my name is Geneva Maxwell, I’m trying to raise money for Jonah Edwards (my 3 year old adopted brother, biologically my nephew). My parents have raised him from the time he was born where he was placed in NICU.

Jonah was born addicted to 6 different kinds of drugs. He was in NICU for over a month. At 6 months old he was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (heart specialist confirmed this was due to the drugs that he was born with in his system.) This condition causes the heart muscles to become abnormally thick. With Jonah, at his 6 month appointment we were told that his aorta was 25% blocked at the time surgery was not needed but they did start him on heart medication. With his aorta being 25% blocked this also interferes with the blood flowing out of his heart. We were told then that this would never heal but it could stay the same and not worsen , or it could get worse and he would have to have open heart surgery by the time he was 12.

Jonah had his first Unsuccessful open heart surgery in October of 2021 at wvu. We have since been told that he will now need a heart transplant.

 Jonah seems like your typical 4 year old little boy until you go in into his cardiologist appointments and they set you down every time and stress how bad his heart really is. They want his actives limited, they prefer him not to run or things in that nature. Anyone with a baby boy or baby brother knows how challenging this is. Some days are harder then others. At his last appointment we were told that his aorta is now almost completely blocked.

 It has took us 2+ months to get him an appointment at a hospital that can do pediatric heart transplants. Sadly know where in the state of Wv currently does this. My mother, along with my self will be traveling to Cincinnati Children's hospital. While my Dad stays at home and continues to care for Jonah siblings. His first appointment will Include back to back test, labs etc, we will also be meeting his transplant team this day. Cincinnati is around 5 hours out from us. His first appointment is at 8 in the morning so we will go up the night before and stay at a hotel.

 This is why I now updated this go fund me. We don’t know how long we will be away from home, we do not know how many trips we will be making there and back. My mother is not able to work do to caring for Jonah and my father is a disabled coal miner, so they are on a monthly fixed income. 

They need the help and any little bit helps. This go fund me is linked directly to an account that is for Jonahs medical use only that is in my moms name.

 We thank each and every one who helped us when we were in Morgantown with his first surgery, and we thank everyone who continues to help us and continues to lift Jonahs name in your prayers. We are forever grateful.