Cedar's Heart Surgery in Boston

We are headed out to Boston Children's Hospital from our home in Utah at the end of September 2021 for our little girl Cedar's 3rd open heart surgery. Our immediate need is help to cover our travel and accommodations, as well as the other expenses that come with being far from home for an extended period of time. Our insurance has covered a majority of the $750,000+ of surgery, scans, therapies, and appointments to date, but it is still unclear what we might expect for coverage as this time around we are headed out-of-state and out-of-network.

If you would prefer to assist by other means you can donate directly to Cedar's mom's Venmo account (@Jaclyn-Sayler) or give items or time in preparation for a large yard-sale fundraiser we are hosting 9/18/2021 in West Jordan, UT. Contact Jaclyn Sayler (503-577-3962) for more details. A share, a prayer, or any other method of support is appreciated and recognized too; your love keeps us going.

Here's a bit more about Cedar's journey so far and the surgery ahead:

It was clear at the 20 week anatomy scan that Cedar's heart would be different; her left side was simply too small. Shortly after birth Cedar was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). HLHS often leads to a three part surgery process of reconfiguring the heart to run all blood flow entirely off of the right side, as the left is insufficient. Unfortunately this process is not a cure and many experience life-long complications including increased severity of illness leading to hospitalization, physical limitations, protein losing enteropathy, liver disease, kidney failure, heart transplant, and much more.

Although many with HLHS have a nearly non-existent left side to their heart, Cedar has one, albeit small, but it is contributing and growing! Boston Children's Hospital is doing remarkable work to stimulate growth of the left side and give kids a chance at a life with two ventricles. Cedar loves four-wheeling, camping, Hawaiian pizza, snuggles, books, dancing, and Bluey; this surgery is a chance to explore new loves without physical limitations. A chance at a sense of normalcy. A chance at an extension of time before transplant, or possibly eliminating the need for a transplant altogether.

Although the financial burden may be great, we know this is an avenue we would forever regret not exploring. We hope with your help, the financial burden can be lessened and this journey to Boston can remain one centered on optimism and our future.

We've started practicing affirmations with Cedar, here's one you can say with us as we head out...Cedar is TOUGH, Cedar is STRONG, Cedar is SMART, Cedar is PRETTY.

Any remaining funds will be put toward outstanding and future medical expenses incurred by Cedar and the arrival of her brother in December.