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For those who did not know Hunter Gross, he was a truly sweet and vibrant child, with a gift for charming everyone he met. No one was safe from his adorable smile and knack for fun, innocent mischief. He was the kind of child who thought of ways to bring joy to other people in his life, and who never knew a stranger. He loved to give sweet kisses to his baby sister Savannah, and his best friend in the entire world was his older brother, Corben. He loved people, his family and his life. That was Hunter. And he was intent on enjoying all of it.
To give you his backstory, Hunter was diagnosed with a severe congenital heart defect (CHD) shortly after his birth on July 12, 2012. Within weeks of being born, he had to have open heart surgery for his bicuspid aortic and pulmonary valves. Despite some scary and serious initial complications, Hunter quickly proved he was our special heart warrior and would make a full recovery, living his life to the fullest as a smart, funny and very loving kid.
Although his initial surgery was a success, his family knew Hunter's CHD would require future procedures as he grew, as well as monitoring. This past spring, they received the news that Hunter's pulmonary valve was ready to be replaced. In early July, they traveled from Arizona to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, the site of his first valve procedure, so the surgery could be performed by Dr. Vaughn Starnes, one of the world's top cardiovascular thoracic doctors and Hunter's original surgeon.
Unfortunately, while in surgery on July 11, Hunter suffered an unexpected cardiac event and he had to be placed on ECMO, a form of life support. While he initially showed signs of improvement, he unexpectedly had a hemorrhage at his surgical site and passed away in the early hours of July 14 (two days after his 7th birthday).
As you can imagine, this is a devastating loss for Hunter's family. No parents should have to bury their child and five siblings shouldn't lose a brother and carry this burden at such a young age. With so much to manage emotionally, we started this GoFundMe campaign to help the Gross/Butterfield family manage the significant expenses of this tragic loss and focus on what is important – the positive memories of this beautiful, wonderful boy. As such, any funds raised that exceed the family’s financial needs will be used to create a memorial that can help us all remember the bright light he brought into the world.
As close family friends, we can tell you that this family is amazing. They have done so much to help lift up children and parents in the CHD and dance communities in Arizona. It is our turn to stand by them and lift them up as they grieve their sweet boy, Hunter. Please consider donating during this very difficult time.
Thank you,
Kelsey Stephens & Cassie Taylor
To give you his backstory, Hunter was diagnosed with a severe congenital heart defect (CHD) shortly after his birth on July 12, 2012. Within weeks of being born, he had to have open heart surgery for his bicuspid aortic and pulmonary valves. Despite some scary and serious initial complications, Hunter quickly proved he was our special heart warrior and would make a full recovery, living his life to the fullest as a smart, funny and very loving kid.
Although his initial surgery was a success, his family knew Hunter's CHD would require future procedures as he grew, as well as monitoring. This past spring, they received the news that Hunter's pulmonary valve was ready to be replaced. In early July, they traveled from Arizona to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, the site of his first valve procedure, so the surgery could be performed by Dr. Vaughn Starnes, one of the world's top cardiovascular thoracic doctors and Hunter's original surgeon.
Unfortunately, while in surgery on July 11, Hunter suffered an unexpected cardiac event and he had to be placed on ECMO, a form of life support. While he initially showed signs of improvement, he unexpectedly had a hemorrhage at his surgical site and passed away in the early hours of July 14 (two days after his 7th birthday).
As you can imagine, this is a devastating loss for Hunter's family. No parents should have to bury their child and five siblings shouldn't lose a brother and carry this burden at such a young age. With so much to manage emotionally, we started this GoFundMe campaign to help the Gross/Butterfield family manage the significant expenses of this tragic loss and focus on what is important – the positive memories of this beautiful, wonderful boy. As such, any funds raised that exceed the family’s financial needs will be used to create a memorial that can help us all remember the bright light he brought into the world.
As close family friends, we can tell you that this family is amazing. They have done so much to help lift up children and parents in the CHD and dance communities in Arizona. It is our turn to stand by them and lift them up as they grieve their sweet boy, Hunter. Please consider donating during this very difficult time.
Thank you,
Kelsey Stephens & Cassie Taylor