Josh Buerkle-Heart Transplant Fund

Our 19 year Old Grandson is currently in the Carsiovascular ICU of the University of Michigan Hospital on a extracorporeal life support system (ECMO Machine) to supplement his heart with pumping blood throughout his body. Last week his heart unexpectedly began beating at an accelerated rate of 170-200 beats per minute and Doctors could not the the lower his heart rate. His heart is too weak and we would have lost him without the ECMO machine. He is the process of being added to the heart transplant list. He will undergo open heart surgery next week to take him off of the Ecmo Machine and have a Left Ventrical Assist Device (LVAD) attached to his heart. Josh will reman hospitalized for a minimum of 30-45 days, if the upcoming surgery goes well, but he will eventully need a new heart. If the surgery does not go well he will remain in ICU until he receives a new heart.
The imediate family is maintaining a constant vigal at Josh's side. We are asking for assistance at this time to help cover the immediate family's expenses
for food, lodging , and travel. The Hospital is over 2 hours away and expenses are beginning to add up quickly. We want the family to be able to focus on Josh's reovery and not have the added burden of worrying about funds to cover these expenses.