Joey Vail Heart Warrior

Joey Vail was born on 6/8/18 to the parents of Chris & Casey Vail at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston, MA. Joey was diagnosed in utero with the rare and serious
congenital heart defect known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a birth defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart. As the baby develops during pregnancy, the left side of the heart does not form correctly.  In babies with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, the left side of the heart cannot
pump oxygen-rich blood to the body properly.Soon after a baby with hypoplastic left heart syndrome is born, multiple surgeries done
in a particular order are needed to increase blood flow to the body and bypass the poorly functioning left side of the heart. The right ventricle becomes the main pumping chamber to the body. These surgeries do not cure hypoplastic left heart syndrome, but help restore heart function. Joeys first open heart surgery was 5 days after birth on
6/13. After doing research and going for a third opinion they decided that Boston Children's Hospital was the place for Joey. They are the top children's hospital in the country andone of the top hospitals that perform the three surgeries needed for Joeys heart. Casey
moved to Boston two weeks before her due date and remained there till 8/2/18 when Joey was finally discharged. They will be going back on 10/19/18 for Joeys second open heart surgery which should hopefully only be a two week recovery period.

Please help Joey in his fight with HLHS. He, as long with his parents, have demonstrated already what true heart warriors are. Your love and support means the world to all of us!