Healing Hearts: Supporting Baby Declan and his family

What started as a routine 20-week anatomy scan very quickly changed four lives forever.

On November 4th, 2024, Baby boy Hegarty was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart defect called Transposition of the Greater Arteries (TGA). His parents, Alexis and Dan, and his big brother, Mariner, braced for several extensive prenatal appointments, procedures, and a month-long CVICU stay upon baby boy's arrival. What they couldn't possibly prepare for was an emergency c-section and a further complication for baby boy's heart.

Declan Philip Hegarty was born on March 18th, 2025, with TGA and a single coronary artery, making this brave little warrior even more rare than his family and loved ones knew.

This GoFundMe is opening about 24 hours after Declan's open-heart surgery to correct its structure. So far, he has defied every expectation in both surgery and recovery, but he has a very long road ahead—as does his family.

Unfortunately, Declan's parents, Alexis and Dan, aren't given paid paternity/maternity leave. Alexis herself is still recovering from major surgery. Time spent together and by Declan's side is essential right now, but as medical bills pile up, that's not a possibility. Dan has to return to work mere days after Declan's surgery to support his family.

Declan still has weeks ahead of him in the CVICU. Alexis will be staying with him and taking unpaid maternity leave to properly care for and support baby Declan in the weeks and months ahead. Mariner will also need his mom more than ever. This family needs the support and generosity of its community to help them through this challenging time.

Those who know Alexis and Dan know they are the most generous, caring, and kind people you could ever know. They rally to support their people in good times and even more so in challenging times. It's time for us to come together to do the same.

There's no way to forecast how much Declan's medical bills may be. Between those bills and lost wages from needing to take unpaid time from work, prayer and financial support are the best ways to lend a hand to this deserving family. Whatever you can bless the family with is beyond appreciated!