Help Needed After Life-Saving Heart Transplant

A Second Chance at Life—But Dennis Needs Your Help

 

Dear Friends, Family, and Kind Strangers,

 

My name is Katie Pesta, my brother Michael Wolski and I are reaching out with a heartfelt plea for our father, Dennis Wolski, who recently underwent a life-saving heart transplant. This incredible gift has given him a second chance at life, but the road to recovery is long and filled with challenges—physically, emotionally, and financially.

 

Our Father’s Journey: A Battle for His Heart

 

Dennis has always been someone who puts his family first but as his health has declined, it has become our turn to help him. Dennis (and several members of the Wolski Family) have Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). This disease tends to run in families and can have a wide variety of outcomes for each individual. In 2014, Dennis suffered a major stroke due to complications of HCM. He worked very hard and was able to make a full recovery but in 2018 he was diagnosed with Bladder Cancer while also having further heart complications that resulted in a Pacemaker and a diagnosis of Congestive Heart Failure. After a long series of treatments, Dennis is cancer free but continued to be hospitalized over the following years due to complications from HCM. In 2020, due to his health, he was forced to retire early from Honeywell Aerospace after 42 years of service, but his retirement has been spent less on relaxing and enjoying life, and more on managing his ongoing health issues. As his Congestive Heart Failure worsened, in 2022 he began the transplant journey working with the Heart Transplant team at Banner University Medical Center. 

 

After years of hospital visits, medications, and uncertainty, the doctors told us that a transplant was his only hope. By the grace of God and the miracle of science, a donor heart became available, and on February 6, 2025, he underwent a successful transplant. While we are beyond grateful for this second chance, the challenges ahead are overwhelming. Dennis is still awaiting discharge from the hospital and faces a long road to recovery.

 

The Financial Burden of a New Heart

 

A heart transplant is not just a surgery—it’s a lifelong commitment to recovery. Even with insurance, the out-of-pocket costs are staggering. Our mother, Michelle, has been by his side every step of the way, taking on the role of his primary caregiver. While she is incredibly strong, this journey has placed an immense emotional, physical and financial burden on her as well. Between managing his medical needs, handling household responsibilities and dealing with the uncertainty of the future, the stress has been overwhelming. 

 

 Here’s what we are facing:

 • Medical Expenses – Hospital bills including 12 days in ICU and 28 days (and counting) in the hospital total, post-operative care, and frequent doctor visits.

• Lifelong Medications – Anti-rejection medications that he must take every day to ensure his body accepts the new heart, some of which are not covered by insurance.

• Rehabilitation & Home Care – Physical therapy, follow-up treatments, and necessary home adjustments.

 

How You Can Help

 

We have created this GoFundMe to help ease the financial strain so my father can focus on what truly matters—healing and getting stronger. Every single donation, no matter the amount, brings us closer to ensuring he gets the care he needs.

 

If you are unable to donate, we completely understand, but you can still make a huge impact by sharing this campaign with your friends and family.

 

A Heartfelt Thank You For Helping our "TinMan" with his new heart.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for reading, donating, and sharing. Your kindness and generosity mean the world to us. We will be posting updates on my father’s progress so you can see the impact of your support.

With love and gratitude,

Katie Pesta and Michael Wolski on behalf of the Wolski Family