Help Baby Caleb get to BCH for 3rd heart surgery

As many of you may know, our incredible Caleb has an upcoming open heart surgery scheduled for September 2nd. While already the strongest little warrior we know, having undergone two prior surgeries in his short year and a half of life, this third procedure is quite unique.

Due to a membrane known as a sub aortic stenosis, growing beneath his aortic valve, Caleb will now need to travel from his home in Warner Robins, Georgia, all the way up to Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) for special care from their team of experts.

Why the need to travel, you may ask? The answer is simple - It is critical for Caleb’s health and future.

Born with multiple heart conditions - Double Outlet Right Ventricle, VSD and Interrupted Aortic Arch - Caleb’s mom and dad are no strangers to the heart world. Since his diagnoses at 23 weeks pregnant, Lindsey and Marquis have not only had to attempt learning a lifetime of medical knowledge in a very short time; they’ve also become the kind of loving, attentive, and persistent parents they need to be to ensure Caleb receives nothing short of the very best treatment available.

It is this persistence that helped guide them towards a second opinion from Boston.

His surgical team in Atlanta have already resected this stenosis once when Caleb was 6 months old, and it reappeared a short two months later. Due to this quick regrowth, the Atlanta team recommended a drastic solution - A complete aortic valve replacement. However, the valve itself is working perfectly fine, and therefore this news understandably put Lindsey and Marquis on high alert.

Surely there was another way which would not require such a life-altering and potentially critical valve replacement.

Lindsey went to quick work, putting long hours into research to find the best hospitals, surgeons, and options for her son. Ultimately, she was guided towards BCH where she would learn their assumptions were indeed correct - There was a better option.

Upon reading Caleb’s medical history, renowned BCH surgeon Dr. Emani offered an opinion wherein they can preserve Caleb’s aortic valve with another resection of the sub aortic membrane. This is a procedure that Dr. Emani has a reputation of great success with for prior patients.

With this news, as any parents can imagine, there is no choice but to ensure the added years of life and positive future for Caleb.

While Lindsey and Marquis are also no strangers to high costs and travel for Caleb’s procedures, as prior care in Atlanta has required overnight stays for the family since day one, you can imagine that travel to Boston is a whole new ballgame for this sweet family.

The young couple will have to leave Caleb’s 3-year-old sister Myla and 8-month-old brother Kobe home in Warner Robins with their grandparents. Though difficult to leave their other two babies for an unknown amount of time, they are so grateful to be able to lean on this family support.

And while the emotional support is thankfully strong, the financial needs simply surpass what any family can or should endure. For one, Lindsey and Marquis run their own business in Warner Robins, which will need to be placed on hold while they travel with Caleb for this procedure.

Between the cost of flights, long-term accommodation, transportation, and typical monthly bills still coming in from home - not to mention the huge medical costs themselves of requiring treatment out of state - all while business is on hold, there is an immense need for added support.

We are therefore asking with all our hearts that you consider a donation today to help with these costs; every little bit makes a difference.

We know this family can endure much, as has been shown already by their great strength and resiliency through this process with Caleb; though it is times like this that we all need a bit of added support from others.

Thank you so much in advance for your kindness and giving hearts.