Helping Chris Fight for his Life

Hi my name is Chasity Girton and I am looking to help raise the funds needed for my Uncle Chris’s life saving surgeries/heart transplant, medications needed for post surgery, and necessities for daily living due his heart failure.

In 2010 my Uncle Chris suffered his first heart attack and was formally diagnosed with congestive heart failure. From that point forward his symptoms worsened, however, he continued to push through working everyday to ensure he was providing for his family.

In 2021 the love of Chris’s life, his wife, my aunt Cindy was diagnosed with Non-Small-Cell- Lung

cancer. Another illness for this family to fight and overcome. As Cindy battled cancer Chris remained by her side, often denying warning signs regarding his own heart condition.

2022 hurricane Ian hit the West coast of Florida damaging Chris and Cindy’s home, yet another stressful situation placed on their shoulders due to the insurance hurricane rules, they were forced to replace their roof with no help from their homeowners.

Then in August of 2023, Cindy’s Cancer progressed to Stage 4 metastasizing to her liver. By Thankingsgiving Chris started feeling very tired, he was short of breath, his legs and ankles became very swollen, and he had the nagging congestive heart failure cough these symptoms lead to what was the beginning of many hospitalizations. Chris was in and out of the hospital 6 times from Thanksgiving until February 2024. In February 2024, Chris was not feeling well at all and went back to the emergency department, where he was admitted with an Ejection Fraction of less than 10, which is a very low functioning heart and can lead to cardiac arrest. He was immediately admitted to Tampa General Icu, he had a Swan Ganz placed, an impella, and protec duo. These devices all help the heart function, because chris‘s heart is no longer able to function on its own. Chris was intubated and sedated until 2/29/24 to give his body a rest while these temporary devices begin to help his heart function. The bottom line is Chris requires a heart transplant at the age of 56. However, the Transplant board requires the recipient to meet certain conditions to approve them to receive an organ. One requirement is the recipient must have insurance to cover the after care medication or funds available. The hospital case workers have applied for federal assistance and chris was denied. A man and wife who have worked their entire life have exhausted all of their financial and community resources due to contending with a variety of expenses stemming from unforeseen tragedies the past few years.

Your thoughtful contribution, regardless of the amount, holds emense value to this family. Each act of giving combines to alleviate the financial weight on the family.