Main fundraiser photo

Matt's Open Heart Surgery

Donation protected
In 2009, at the age of 12, Matt Bruegge was diagnosed with Hypertrophy Cardiomyopathy (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350198). His septal wall measured at 32 mm (normal is 10-12 mm) and Matt underwent surgery for an ICD (Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator). 

Over the next 10 years, Matt's septal wall continued to thicken and has been measured as high as 42 mm (4 times the average thickness). In past years, his fatigue has greatly increased and he has been given the nearly impossible task of being a full time college student while also holding a job to afford living expenses. For Matt, breathlessness, exhaustion, and near passing out has become a norm. Because of this in 2017, he underwent a heart catheterization to see if his condition had come to the point of transplantation -- luckily it hadn't. 

This past month, Matt had his annual check up and the doctors determined that he would be a good candidate for an open-heart surgery called a Septal Myectomy (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17461-septal-myectomy). A successful surgery will reduce Matt's symptoms and give him a better quality of life. It would allow him to live a life that is much closer to the norm that everybody else experiences - being able to be a full time student while also working a part-time job. 

Matt's surgery is scheduled for Fall 2018 at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. The Bruegge family greatly needs your support to help them afford the surgery, the cost lodging, and meals during Matt's 7-14 day recovery in the hospital. 

Any donation is appreciated to help the Bruegge family get through this incredibly difficult but hopeful time. Thank you!
Donate

Donations 

  • Stephen Schrichfield
    • $20 
    • 5 yrs
Donate

Organizer and beneficiary

Karina Diekema
Organizer
Iowa City, IA
Kevin Bruegge
Beneficiary

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.