Dear friends, family, and kind-hearted supporters,

Our precious baby boy, Jackson, has been diagnosed with an atrial septal defect – a hole in the wall between the heart’s upper chambers – as well as an abnormal atrial valve. This condition has placed an extra strain on his heart and lungs, leading to fatigue, frequent respiratory infections, and possible developmental delays among other symptoms. Over time, if left untreated, it could lead to more serious complications such as heart rhythm issues, lung damage, and even heart failure.

It has been determined that, based on the size and location of the hole, he will need to undergo open-heart surgery.

On its own, it would already be hard enough, but it is coming at an already incredibly difficult time in our lives. Over the past year and a half, my husband has battled serious medical issues that placed an enormous strain on our finances and our ability to maintain stability. As some of you know, we own our own company, and we are still struggling to recover completely from the months of missed work and inability to function normally. And, while every day is a little better, he is still not fully recovered, and we are still dealing with the fallout.

I have not spoken publicly about it, and we have done the best we can to face the challenges. We were just now starting to pick up the pieces and regain our footing only to have the rug pulled out from under us once again with the devastating news that our baby boy needs open-heart surgery. I feel lost and know I can no longer keep it all to myself.

Jackson is a super sweet, car-obsessed little boy who loves to laugh. His little sense of humor is starting to come out and, when he isn’t playing with his large collection of cars or talking about cars, tractors, or excavators, he is running, climbing, playing with the dog, and playing with big sister, Annabelle, whom he adores. He loves to cuddle, and his favorite treats are Hershey Kisses.

Jackson’s surgery has been scheduled for June 2nd in Charleston, SC. We will need to travel to Charleston on May 29th for pre-op on May 30th. The surgery will take place that Monday, and he will be in the hospital for about 7 days after surgery followed by an additional 4-6 weeks of recovery at home.

How You Can Help

First, while I hate asking for money in any way, shape, or form, I am not sure how I am going to handle the financial burden of additional medical expenses (on top of the ones I still owe for my husband), travel for surgery, time away from work for my husband and myself, and the up to 6 weeks of recovery my baby boy will have. I am hoping and praying that, perhaps, we will find some relief through this fund which will be used specifically for:

Secondly, we know that not everyone is in a position to give financially, but we firmly believe in the power of prayer. So, if nothing else, I ask that you pray. As much as possible. Please pray for:

Regardless of whether you can contribute financially or not, I ask that you pray. Put him on prayer lists at church, ask your friends and family to pray for us, share our story with others. I firmly believe in the power of prayer and a healing and loving God above all else. And I am putting my full trust in Him during this process.

Finally, I ask that you share this with others who may be willing to support us, whether financially or through prayer, during this time. The more people lifting Jackson up in prayer, the better. We believe in the power of faith and community, and your support – whether through a donation, a prayer, or a simple share – means more than words can express.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for standing with us, praying for us, and supporting our family through this difficult journey. We will continue to share updates as we move forward, and we are so grateful to have you all by our side.

With much love,

Melanie and the Graddy Family