Cheryl's Transplant Journey

My niece Cheryl was born with Tricuspid Atresia.  Tricuspid atresia is a form of congenital heart disease whereby there is a complete absence of the tricuspid valve. Therefore, there is an absence of right atrioventricular connection. This leads to a hypoplastic (undersized) or absent right ventricle. This defect is contracted during prenatal development, when the heart does not finish developing. It causes the heart to be unable to properly oxygenate the rest of the blood in the body. Because of this, the body does not have enough oxygen to live, so other defects must occur to maintain blood flow.

Since being born, Cheryl has undergone two previous open heart surgeries. 

While awaiting for the transplant, Cheryl will have to live within two hours of Toronto which means having to leave her home in Nova Scotia. 

Cheryl has not been able to work for the past year or so and the costs her and her family face is enormous.   

In addition to having to maintain their home in Nova Scotia, they will have the added burden of having to pay rent for a place to live in Toronto along with the cost associated with keeping a home which as we all know is so expensive.   My understanding is that Cheryl will have to stay in Toronto for quite sometime after the transplant so the journey for her and her precious family will be a long one. 

With your support, the funds raised will help Cheryl cover the added costs associated with having to relocate to Toronto while she waits for a new heart and then the recovery post-transplant.

Register to become an organ and tissue donor at:

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/healthy-living/blood-organ-tissue-donation.html