Fund Matt's Heart Surgery for a Brighter Future

My name is Arie Szatkowski. I am raising money for a life-saving heart surgery on Matt Rodgers, a 32-year-old married man with two young children, who was born with a congenital bicuspid aortic valve that is now stenotic and barely opening. His insurance will cover the costs of the surgery, but he must travel from Mississippi to New York where he can undergo replacement of his diseased aortic valve performed by a surgeon who specializes in a procedure (Ross Procedure) that would provide Matt with the best long-term outcome.

There are only a few centers around the world capable of doing this surgery. If he has the surgery in Mississippi or closer to home, he would end up with a mechanical valve and have to take blood thinners his whole life as well as run the risk of infections and reoperation. The Ross procedure, which uses his native pulmonic valve, allows him to lead a normal life and live as long as someone who never had open heart surgery. There is no other heart surgery that can offer such an incredible outcome.

Matt and his wife are unable to afford the travel to NY and someone to watch his children. They plan to drive but will have to stay in a hospital-based hotel and their out-of-pocket costs plus time off from work for a few months make this situation very difficult. I am his cardiologist. I encourage him to take this trip because I want him to have the best long-term normal life. I plan to contribute to this fund. Thank you for your help.