Help James Beckwith Through His Transplant Journey

My brother-in-law, James Beckwith, age 52, urgently needs a second heart transplant, just four years after his first. This time, he will need a kidney transplant as well, due to the strain of his failing heart on his kidneys. We are setting up this GoFundMe to help James and Deb through this overwhelming time.

The backstory:

James grew up in a military family, moving around the globe while his dad served in the Army as an Army Ranger. Following in his father’s footsteps serving in the military; he later dedicated over 25 years to hard work as a heavy equipment operator and foreman in Kansas City. In 2014, James found love with my sister, Deb, who is one of the strongest and most compassionate people I know. Soon after their marriage, in 2018, James was diagnosed with a rare form of heart failure.

In 2020, after three long years of hospital stays, specialists, and mounting anxiety, James received his first heart transplant. However, due to his unique physical characteristics—standing 6'4" with a blood type of O-negative—the donor heart wasn’t an ideal match. He did his best to adjust to this new heart, but it wasn’t enough to fully restore his strength and energy.

By Thanksgiving 2023, James’ health had deteriorated again to where he could barely catch his breath. Doctors have since confirmed his transplanted heart is failing, and he now faces the daunting prospect of a second heart transplant, this time with a kidney. He is back on the transplant list, but with his size, blood type, and now additional antibodies developed from his first transplant, finding a match is even more challenging. Until that match is found, he remains in the CICU, connected to an intra-aortic balloon pump, which helps his heart pump blood while he waits.

Deb has been his rock, traveling to Kansas City on weekends to be by his side, balancing work during the week, and shouldering the emotional and financial strain. Together, they are unwavering in their faith, leaning on the strength of each other, family, friends, and the prayers of those who have supported them on this journey. The road ahead is long, but they refuse to give up.

We humbly ask for your support, whether through a donation or a prayer, to help lift some of this financial burden. The costs of ongoing care, a potential transplant, and extensive hospital stays are daunting. We know that the moment James receives “the call,” it will be bittersweet, as another family will be saying goodbye to their loved one. We are profoundly grateful for the gift of life that an organ donor provides.

Thank you for helping James fight for his second chance at life and for being part of this journey with us. Your generosity, prayers, and compassion mean the world to us all.