Benjamin Doesn’t Fight Alone

Benjamin was born 14 years ago with a rare congenital heart defect known as HLHS disease. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a form of congenital heart disease in which the whole left half of the heart (including the aorta, aortic valve, left ventricle and mitral valve) is underdeveloped (hypoplastic). Benjamin has had three open heart surgeries along with two pacemaker surgeries in the past 14 years to keep his ticker tick-tocking.

Early this year his heart has been deteriorating. He started the evaluation process last week to ensure he was a good candidate for a transplant and thankfully he is. He has been placed on the transplant list as tier 1A high priority. He will remain in ICU until he receives his new heart.

We are setting up this GoFundMe for our nephew Greg's and niece Regina’s son Benjamin Esparza, to help cover medical and living expenses. Greg and Regina have never asked for any financial help or donations during Benjamin’s past surgeries and for the last 14 years, but we all just want to come together to help Benjamin and his family fight this battle.

Benjamin is a happy, loving and funny boy who loves to play video games when he is not doing his schoolwork online. He loves being with his brothers and his mom and dad. Benjamin needed a measles vaccine as his immunity was non-nonexistent so this means he has to wait 28 days before he can receive a heart transplant. The GoFundMe will help relieve some financial stress for Greg and Regina with Greg being the only one able to work at this time, so Regina is able to be at the hospital with Benjamin every day. As you can imagine, it is a hard journey as Phoenix Children's Hospital does not allow visitors, only his parents. Greg and Regina take turns staying with Benjamin and traveling to the hospital and back home to keep life as normal as possible for their other two boys, Xavier and Jacob. Even with medical insurance, we do not know what the insurance will cover and what the future will look like for them financially, especially with high gas prices and food costs on top of their regular expenses. Any contribution will be helpful and be very much appreciated. We are especially asking for all your prayers, support and positive energy as Benjamin waits for his new heart. We also pray for strength and comfort for Benjamin and his family and pray that he has a speedy recovery. Benjamin is a fighter and a heart warrior like his aunt Vanessa said, so let's all come together and pray and support them as we want them to know they will not fight this battle alone. Thank you very much and God Bless.