Help Chynna Heal After a Life-Saving Heart Transplant

Chynna is 35 years old and lives an active, adventurous life. She is a snowboarder, surfer, beekeeper, hiker, traveler, devoted friend, loving daughter, sister & Auntie as well as a proud mom to her two fur babies, Duke and Tater Tot. Until recently, she was healthy, vibrant, and always on the move.

In 2011, Chynna’s mother, Victoria DuPont - also young, fit, and active - was unexpectedly diagnosed with heart failure. She passed away in 2015, when Chynna was just 25 years old. At the time, no one knew the condition was genetic.

Nearly ten years later, the unimaginable happened again.

After returning home from an incredible hiking trip through Switzerland, Chynna began experiencing shortness of breath and extreme fatigue. What seemed like a minor illness turned into a medical emergency. Doctors shockingly discovered that Chynna was in active heart failure - the same condition that took her mother’s life.

With no warning signs, no symptoms, and no prior history, her age and lifestyle offered no clues. She was first hospitalized in September 2025 and discharged under close cardiology care. Despite doing everything right, her condition rapidly declined.

On December 12, Chynna was hospitalized again - this time in cardiogenic shock. She has remained in the ICU since, on life support, with a heart transplant becoming her only chance at survival.

Due to the severity of her condition, Chynna was listed as Status 1 on the transplant list. On January 19, 2026, a donor match was found. The following day, January 20, she underwent a successful heart transplant.

This transplant was nothing short of a miracle.

Chynna is currently recovering at Sharp Memorial Hospital where she is expected to remain hospitalized for several weeks. After discharge, she must stay near the hospital for at least two - three months, with follow-up appointments four days a week.

While the transplant saved her life, her recovery is just beginning.

During this time, Chynna will be unable to work and will require 24-hour care, physical therapy, strict nutrition, medications, and ongoing medical monitoring as her body heals and adjusts to her new heart.

We are asking for support to help cover the overwhelming costs associated with post-transplant recovery, including:

• Temporary housing near the hospital

• Medical and post-transplant care expenses

• Physical therapy and rehabilitation

• Specialized nutrition and medications

• Time off work during recovery

Every donation will go directly toward helping Chynna focus on healing and rebuilding her strength.

Chynna and her family are forever grateful to the organ donor and their family for the extraordinary gift of life, A selfless act that gave her a second chance. She is also deeply thankful to her transplant dream team at Sharp Memorial Hospital, whose care and dedication made this miracle possible.

If you are able to donate or share this fundraiser, your support means more than words can express. Thank you for being part of Chynna’s journey toward healing and hope.