Help Robert & his family recover from his heart transplant.

Please scroll below for update…

My name is Linda Sutton, and we are raising money for a former student of mine and his family. This family has been incredibly generous with others in the past when they were able, as well as giving their time as volunteers in many capacities.

Robert is an extraordinary young man: polite, respectful and appreciative. He has already registered as a Heart Brother, whose purpose is to support other heart failure patients with emotional preparation and healing before and after their surgery.

Robert has been in heart failure for 14 years, and after reaching a critical stage, he received a new heart this past week. He is doing extremely well.

While incredibly grateful for this amazing gift, the family is heartbroken for their donor and his or her family, thinking about them daily.

Unfortunately due to Robert’s illness, his family now faces great financial debt caused by medical expenses, transportation to and from the hospital, as well as his needing round-the-clock care at home and for the next number of months both which interfere(d) with his parents’ work. Robert was also unable to work, as his heart was working at 7% before the transplant, causing severe exhaustion.

We hope you can help support this family and Robert as he continues to heal. They are so grateful for any assistance you can provide.

Please be aware that after you click on DONATE, you will see a “GoFundMe Tip” sliding bar. This is to tip the GoFundMe site because they don’t charge for their services. However, under that, you will see the words: “Custom Tip’ . Once you put in the donation you intend to make to the family, you can then slide the bar to the left, which adjusts that tip to anything, all the way down to a 0% tip.

The money will be used to pay overdue bills including utilities and taxes, housing costs, expenses from preparing the house for Robert’s safety and well-being, and to obtain used but dependable transportation to get the family to and from medical appointments in Boston. Thank you in advance for any help you can provide. Should you be unable to help financially at this time, prayers are also appreciated for both families.

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 15, 2024: Robert has been recovering from his surgery very well, which took place on August 20th- 21st. He is pushing himself every day to do everything the doctors are asking of him. Each week he has a biopsy which tests his rejection rate; the lower the number the better. This week, his rejection rate hit 0%!

I never realized that when a heart transplant is done EVERY rib is broken as well as the sternum, so that is what is causing the bulk of his pain and limiting his mobility in certain ways. He can walk around gingerly with a cane, but is having difficulty doing things like maintaining a sitting position or using a hand rail due to the broken ribs. He is monitored around the clock and is given meds throughout the day and night. It sounds rough, but Robert and his family are OVER THE MOON that he has received his new heart, and is doing so well.

They are SO touched and grateful for all who have donated any amount, and Robert is hoping to write to each person who donated once he is able to sit up.

We are over a fifth of the way to our goal, and the most effective way to reach more people is to ask you and others to repost the link to the fundraiser on your facebook or instagram. It would be so helpful! All donations are appreciated and will be acknowledged. Sincerely yours, Linda Sutton and the Lafleur family.