Please Help Baby Max Get Lifesaving Surgery

Max was diagnosed with a set of rare heart conditions before entering the world on June 23, 2021. Max's confirmed diagnosis is Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries (CCTGA), Ebstein's Anomaly (EA), and Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW). CCTGA and EA affect the structure of Max’s heart while WPW affects the electrical pathways in Max’s heart.

For babies born with CCTGA, the right and left ventricles are switched in position and in roles. As a result, the right ventricle must take on the more demanding role of pumping the blood to the body at high pressure. This puts a strain on the right ventricle, which in many cases leads to serious heart problems. 0.5% to 1% of all babies born with heart defects have CCTGA.

EA is a malformation of the tricuspid valve. The abnormal tricuspid valve results in regurgitation of blood into the right atrium. The right ventricle has to then work harder to move blood forward. Over time, the right ventricle will become enlarged and may not meet the demands of the heart, resulting in failure.

WPW is a type of heart condition you are born with (congenital). It causes a rapid heart rate. If you have WPW, you may have episodes of palpitations or rapid heartbeats. WPW affects less than 1 in 100 people.

Max is on medication to stabilize his heart rhythm. However, in October he went into 7 separate episodes. Max's lips turned blue, and his heart rate went above 200 BPM, and they were admitted to hospital.

There is an option for surgery called the “double switch,” which means they would switch everything back to it's atomically correct place. The surgeon is in Toronto and is named Dr. David Barron. He is world-renowned. He came from the UK, and he specializes in CCTGA.

Currently the family is doing appointments and reassessments every 3 months - closely monitoring Max to ensure the best path is taken to guarantee his optimal health.

Max and his family are currently fundraising and saving for costs associated with taking care of Max’s medical needs. Trips to and from BC Children's Hospital, monthly medications, missed work, mental health supports, and a possible impending surgery that would take the family to Toronto for an undetermined amount of time.

Brennan had stepped into the step-dad role for Zain without skipping a beat and more recently became a father himself when Max was born. Brennan is one of the most empathetic and understanding people. He often is the person people rely on to lend them an ear. He is an awesome dad and partner, always putting others before himself.

Meghan is an amazing mother to her two sons, Zain and Max. She has dedicated her life to helping others and is a positive role model to all the people around her. Meghan is on maternity leave from her job, where she works as a Women’s Support Worker helping women on the Downtown East side of Vancouver. In the past, she has been involved in fundraisers that help support disadvantaged youth in Vancouver, as well as BC Children’s Hospital.

All of your support is appreciated. Thank you for helping Max get the care he needs so the family can focus on what matters the most, each other.

Would you please share #movingmountainsformax for as much exposure as possible? Anything helps, even just showing your support to this amazing little family.

Sometimes people need help.