This Is from Heath’s momma, it explains everything more in depth and better than I could. This note encompasses all aspects of his journey from beginning to over the last week. It’s also in the updates I post as frequently as possible. here is:

❤️ Heath’s Story

Heath is a 21 year old senior at UPIKE, studying Information Technology and a member of the archery team. He’s worked so hard to get where he is today, and he should be enjoying his final year of college — planning his future with Maddi, building his career, and celebrating everything he has accomplished.

Instead, he is fighting for his life. For his future.

Heath has Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy. ARVC is a rare and progressive genetic heart disease. ARVC slowly replaces the heart muscle, especially in the right ventricle, with fibro-fatty tissue, causing severe arrhythmias, heart failure, and tragically, sudden cardiac death. It often strikes young adults during exercise.

He inherited this condition from his father, who passed away at 28 years old from sudden cardiac death while playing basketball in a city park. Heath was only seven.

Despite this, Heath grew up strong, kind, intelligent, and determined. At 14, genetic testing confirmed he had inherited the same condition that took his father, but he refused to give up on his dreams.

❤️ The Medical Journey That Brought Us Here

• January 2025:

Heath underwent a cardiac ablation for an arrhythmia.

• June 2025:

He received an ICD at UK to protect him from sudden cardiac death as well as a requirement to participate in gene therapy clinical trials for his specific mutation of ARVC.

• July 2025:

He required a lead revision after the ICD lead dislodged.

• October 2025:

Everything changed. Heath developed worsening shortness of breath at rest and with exertion, along with chest pain.

He was hospitalized at PMC and discharged after a day with a misdiagnosis of pericarditis, a prescription of Ibuprofen, and told to be patient as it would take time to resolve.

His symptoms continued to worsen over the next week and the Ibuprofen offered no relief.

He was then admitted to UK, where imaging showed a large pericardial effusion, and he required a pericardiocentesis. Surgeons were shocked to have removed 750 mL of dark venous blood from around his heart. Evidence that the ICD lead had perforated his heart.

He underwent his second ICD revision to correct the perforation. His team initially talked about discharging him from the CCU, but he wasn’t improving. He continued to have dangerous arrhythmias, oxygen needs, and severe exercise intolerance.

Then came the next blow:

He was diagnosed with advanced right-sided heart failure and renal failure. His ARVC makes this more complex and he decompensates quickly and suddenly. He was placed on CRRT dialysis. Thankfully, his kidneys recovered quickly, and he lost 28 pounds of fluid during his three weeks in the CCU.

UK evaluated him for transplant and denied him. The doctor sat next to him, looked him in the eyes, and told him there was nothing they could do for him. He wasn't a candidate for transplant or mechanical support.

❤️ One Month of Crisis After Crisis

Over the next month, Heath was hospitalized every other week.

He continued experiencing dangerous arrhythmias, including a SVT episode that didn't break even after two rounds of adenosine. His kidneys had healed enough to restart his antiarrhythmic, but that required another hospitalization, along with IV potassium and magnesium before the arrhythmia finally stabilized.

Despite the repeated hospitalizations, and his worsening condition, UK continued to refuse to approve him for transplant. Continued to stabilize him and send him home.

Heath has lost over 60 pounds since October. He struggles to walk short distances without shortness of breath, dizziness, or fatigue. He stays cold. He has no appetite. He is exhausted but he remains hopeful.

❤️ Where We Are Now

We now have a referral to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for a full heart transplant evaluation this week. Vanderbilt is one of the top transplant centers in the world, and we are praying that they will accept and list him. But nothing is guaranteed and there are many unknowns ahead. If accepted he may still have a long wait due to his blood type.

A transplant is Heath’s only hope.

❤️ Why We Are Asking for Help

The financial burden of this journey is overwhelming.

Uncovered & Ongoing Medical Expenses

One of his essential medications is not covered by insurance, and is extremely expensive.

His insurance has already denied payment for his last hospitalization.

They also initially denied his heart catheterization, which is critical for his transplant evaluation, but approved it upon appeal.

Lodging & Transportation

If Vanderbilt accepts him, we will need:

Repeated travel back and forth to Nashville

Lodging before, during, and after transplant

Long-term stays after surgery (sometimes up to a year of monitored follow-up)

Lost Income

Heath cannot work due to his condition.

His living expenses don’t stop just because he is sick.

❤️ How You Can Help

If you feel moved to help, any amount, no matter how small, relieves some of this heavy burden and allows us to focus on getting Heath the life-saving care he needs. Sharing this page also helps more than you know.

Heath is fighting with everything he has.

He deserves a chance at the full, beautiful life ahead of him. I know the perfect most precious heart is out there waiting to find him.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your prayers, support, generosity, and kindness.