Help Breanna Get Her Dual Transplant and Recover

Breanna's Heart and Liver Transplant and Recovery.

Subject: Help Save a Life: Support Bre's Dual Heart and Liver Transplant Journey

Dear Friends, Family, and Community,

I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits. Today, I reach out to you with a heavy heart, as Bre is facing a journey for a second chance at life that is a life-threatening situation that requires our collective support.

Breanna (BreBre) is 30 years old. She is a daughter and a sister to a beautiful little sister who is 12 and two younger brothers who look up to her. Bre has been living with a congenital heart defect her entire life. She had her first heart surgery at 15 days old (Blalock Shunt), a second surgery when she was 10 months old (Glenn Shunt), and a third surgery at 5 years old (Fontan Shunt), all at UCLA.

This is Bre’s story, written by her mom.

Bre is my firstborn and my miracle child.

Bre was born a healthy baby girl and sent home the next day. Me being a new mother, I was concerned why she would cry and turn purple, and her hair looked orange. The doctor had stated it sounded like a heart murmur and recommended a follow-up with her pediatrician. Time was racing, and with not knowing what was going on, I felt like something was not right in my heart, so I turned to a second opinion, Dr. Hansuvadha (Oxnard, CA).

Bre was 10 days old at the time. The next day, we got an emergency appointment with a pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Harake. Bre was born with a single ventricle; tricuspid atresia; anteroseptal defect; patent ductus arteriosus; hypoplastic pulmonary arteries; and dextrocardia, situs solitus. Bre was admitted into the PICU at 13 days old. I remember the physician telling me, “Enjoy her while you have her.” These words have haunted me for 30 years.

Bre has always been a survivor at birth and continues to fight for her journey as of today. I have watched my daughter live and struggle with health challenges, including getting diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease, at age 21, which has been stable through medication. Bre has always exceeded expectations and bounces right back into her life of family and friends. At 17, she was able to make a wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation and was able to go to Disney World with her family for one whole week.

Bre has been followed closely by UCLA for many years and has frequent medical appointments. In 2022, Bre was scheduled for a cardiac heart procedure with Dr. Aboulhosn at UCLA. As she was getting prepped for her procedure, Dr. Aboulhosn looked at me and my daughter and advised that Bre undergo a heart and liver transplant evaluation. I broke out in tears. A huge weight was lifted off my shoulders as my daughter had a second chance at life by getting evaluated for a dual transplant.

I watched my daughter grow and live all her milestones, treasured her life, and watched her struggles with health challenges, including losing her father in 2009 to Heart Arrhythmia and her Grandma Lisa in 2004. I have been my daughter’s biggest cheerleader and advocate, stood by her side her whole entire life, and will continue until she receives her dual transplant and is able to live an independent life.

Bre is finally admitted into the UCLA Hospital and is waiting for a heart and liver transplant. Once she receives the dual transplants, she will need to reside less than 70 miles away from UCLA Hospital. We are currently over 90 miles from where we reside. We need to raise money to make sure that Bre gets the proper assistance and temporary housing. With your help, we can help ensure that Bre recovers safely and successfully. These funds will help aid Bre with paying for relocation expenses and travel expenses for frequent doctor’s appointments. Any financial support would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for hearing Bre’s story and being a part of Bre’s journey.