Kevin's Heart Beat

Hello! My name is Becky Smith. I represent a group of friends of Kevin Simms who are trying to help him raise money for the tremendous medical expenses he has incurred over the last nine months. Kevin is well known in the Salem, Virginia community. He was born and raised there and returned home after serving in the Navy and studying Math at Old Dominion University. He taught Math for many years in public schools and was beloved by his students for his wicked and keen sense of humor! Kevin has endured and survived significant and unexpected health issues that began in the summer of 2021. Over three months, he became frail and could not walk for reasons that initially could not be determined.

He also had a large, deep open wound on his calf that developed due to a fall's deep bruise (hematoma). Despite weekly treatment at a wound clinic and hospitalization, the damage would not heal. Kevin’s health continued to worsen, and he was eventually diagnosed with heart failure. He was hospitalized locally for treatment of his heart. His condition continued to decline during

the six weeks in the hospital. The leg wound did not heal. It appeared that the local doctors were out of options. His wife Kim requested a transfer to the Heart Center at Duke University Medical Center. Kevin was transferred the next day, where he underwent additional testing to determine whether he was a candidate for an LVAD (left ventricular assistive device). This equipment is placed directly in the

heart to electrically pump blood through the heart. It is attached to a 4 lb battery pack worn outside of the body and requires daily charging. Happily, he was determined to be a good candidate for the LVAD, and it was implanted successfully. The use of this device is a transition step toward a heart transplant which Kevin’s doctors say will be discussed in the fall. His leg wound also healed at Duke once his blood supply had increased oxygen from the effectiveness of the LVAD. Kevin is now home and has received physical and occupational therapy to improve his strength. He can now get out of bed by himself, stand up from a chair without help and walk through the house. He has a long way to go to recover his pre-illness functional level fully. Kevin and Kim have significant

medical expenses due to his combined 10-week hospital stays and heart surgery. Additional fees are anticipated in the fall if/when he is approved for a heart transplant. This GoFundMe effort is an

attempt by his many friends to support him as he undergoes these life-sustaining procedures financially. Thanks so much for reading and for contributing as you are able!