Gabe's Heart Transplant Expenses
Donation protected
Up until January 2018, Gabe was a strong, healthy teenager. On January 5, he complained of feeling like he could not take a deep breath. By the next morning he was short of breath climbing the stairs to his bedroom.
Thinking he had a mild chest cold, Gabe's mom, Jaimy, took him to his pediatrician for a checkup. The doctor ordered some antibiotics and an inhaler. She wasn't concerned and almost as an afterthought ordered a chest x-ray just to be certain.
A few hours later, after Jaimy had dropped him off at home and was on her way to go grocery shopping, the pediatrician called and told her they would need to go to the emergency room for further testing. The chest x-ray had shown Gabe's heart was enlarged.
At Children's he was admitted to the cardiac ICU. After several days and extensive testing he was diagnosed as having dialated cardiomyopathy. It was determined that he would require an LVAD (left ventricular assist device) implanted on his heart until a donor heart was available.
Three days after his 16th birthday, Gabe went into surgery for the LVAD. Recovery was difficult, but the operation was a success and soon the doctors determined Gabe was well enough to go home.
Two weeks after returning home and a few days before he was to go back to school, Jaimy was notified that a donor heart was available. Five weeks after he received the LVAD, Gabe underwent transplant surgery at Children's. Currently, he is recovering at the hospital, surrounded by his parents, brothers, family, and friends.
We need your support to raise money to help Gabe's family during his recovery.
Due to the need for multiple doctor, physical and cardiac therapy appointments every week, Jaimy cannot work for at least the next year. While insurance covers many costs, the toll of co-pays, cost shares, medication, and even parking accumulates. Since January, Jaimy has spent $300 on parking alone -- and that is with the parent discount for inpatients at Children's Hospital.
Anything you can donate is greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Thinking he had a mild chest cold, Gabe's mom, Jaimy, took him to his pediatrician for a checkup. The doctor ordered some antibiotics and an inhaler. She wasn't concerned and almost as an afterthought ordered a chest x-ray just to be certain.
A few hours later, after Jaimy had dropped him off at home and was on her way to go grocery shopping, the pediatrician called and told her they would need to go to the emergency room for further testing. The chest x-ray had shown Gabe's heart was enlarged.
At Children's he was admitted to the cardiac ICU. After several days and extensive testing he was diagnosed as having dialated cardiomyopathy. It was determined that he would require an LVAD (left ventricular assist device) implanted on his heart until a donor heart was available.
Three days after his 16th birthday, Gabe went into surgery for the LVAD. Recovery was difficult, but the operation was a success and soon the doctors determined Gabe was well enough to go home.
Two weeks after returning home and a few days before he was to go back to school, Jaimy was notified that a donor heart was available. Five weeks after he received the LVAD, Gabe underwent transplant surgery at Children's. Currently, he is recovering at the hospital, surrounded by his parents, brothers, family, and friends.
We need your support to raise money to help Gabe's family during his recovery.
Due to the need for multiple doctor, physical and cardiac therapy appointments every week, Jaimy cannot work for at least the next year. While insurance covers many costs, the toll of co-pays, cost shares, medication, and even parking accumulates. Since January, Jaimy has spent $300 on parking alone -- and that is with the parent discount for inpatients at Children's Hospital.
Anything you can donate is greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jeff Brunner
Organizer
Pittsburgh, PA
Jaimy Roland
Beneficiary
