Help Shawn with Expenses after Heart Transplant

Shawn Hodson is my husband’s best friend of 30+ years, a disabled U.S. Marine Corps veteran, a current Johnson County Sheriff’s Deputy and Sniper with the SWAT Team, a loving single father, son, brother, and loyal peer to his "brothers in brown". Shawn and my husband joined the Marine Corps together in the “Buddy Program” and left mid-year of their senior year from Indian Creek High School, to go to boot camp together. They are infantry brothers through and through. Shawn is a rock-solid human to everyone, including his country and local community.

This past August, Shawn developed chest/respiratory symptoms that came, went, and then worsened over time. After many trips to the VA hospital in the middle of the night and countless tests, they found that his heart was suddenly incapable of fully functioning any longer on its own and he would require a heart transplant. This news was a complete shock and totally unexpected as Shawn has always taken excellent care of his physical fitness. The heart condition is believed to have been underlying for possibly many years but due to his maintained physical fitness level, it stayed that way until now and unexpectedly surfaced. Medical professionals say he’s a “1% case…”.

We are so blessed to report that since being admitted into the Cardiac ICU Transplant Unit in early October, he received news on the Marine Corps birthday (11/10/21) of all days, that they had a heart for him!! The next day, Veteran’s Day, he was scheduled for his new heart to be placed! Prayers have been answered so far and all has gone well since the recent surgery but there is a long road to recovery of approximately one year or more. He is still in the hospital, and when appropriate, will move to a rehabilitation unit before heading home to fully recover. With his leave from work, he is currently at a much smaller percentage of his normal pay and his bills remain the same as before he fell ill.

We’re hoping to be able to raise funds for Shawn to help with his long-term bills and medications. He has high hopes and prayers that he will be returning to the career he loves and the community he serves, and we absolutely know he can do that and more! He’s a tiger, we believe in him, and he's so loved!

Shawn has always been the 1st to jump in when help is needed, for loved ones, a stranger, or our country. We’re hopeful others may be able to offer him some help at this unfortunate time. If you’re unable to give, prayers are always welcome and so appreciated! Thank you! -Nichole Rains (Anthony’s wife)