Please help October

October Twisdale was born with only a right ventricle to his heart, having been diagnosed in the womb with hypo-plastic left heart syndrome. October was just a few days old when he had his first open heart surgery. Spending the first year and a half of his life in the hospital October would go on to have 4 more surgeries before developing a rare side effect called plastic bronchitis, a paralyzing pulmonary disease that plugged his lungs and cut off oxygen to his body. In desperate need of a heart transplant October was rushed to UPMC Children's Hospital on December 19, 2004 where he underwent a heart transplant at only 5 years old.

The years that followed the transplant have been brutal, antibody rejection, unexplained arrhythmias, heart and lung bypass and cardiac arrest to name a few. Just when things seemed to be getting better for October along came COVID. Having just turned 11 when COVID started October's rejection medications have left him immunocompromised, his damaged lungs putting him at high risk for serious disease. After fighting so hard for life October has spent that last year and a half locked away from the world, missing out on everything that a child typically experiences. He cannot go to school, he cannot see his extended family, he cannot play with his friends, go to a baseball game or play any sports. He is a boy in a bubble.

With the spread of COVID and the world shutting down October's parents lost their jobs immediately. They have leaned on unemployment to get them through these hard times, constantly worrying how the next bill will be paid or where the next meal will come from. October's father's lease expires at the end of November, leaving him and October with nowhere to move as they cannot move in with family due to October being immunocompromised, making the holidays a depressing afterthought. To make matters much worse last month, just as unemployment benefits stopped, October was diagnosed with Stage 2 rejection of his heart. His transplanted heart has now started to weaken and he begun having seizures. The long trips back and forth to UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh have begun again, as have the cardiac catheterizations, biopsies, neurology appointments, sleep studies and other endless tests. Through it all October has continued to be a trooper.

October continues to fight for a normal life, smiling and pretending it is all okay but unfortunately life is anything but okay for October and his parents. The medical expenses and cost of constant travel to Pittsburgh's Children's Hospital are no longer affordable but continue to be necessary more so than ever. The fear of bringing home COVID to October has resulted in both of his parents being unable to work in any capacity. His parents are now grasping for any help they can find as their bank accounts are now empty and they struggle every day to keep a roof over October's head.

Halloween is October's favorite holiday. This year, like last year, October will not be able to trick or treat, will not be able to share a Thanksgiving dinner with extended family, will not be able to celebrate Christmas like everyone else. October has never had a normal life and unfortunately probably never will but his parents need your help right now to assist in making this child's life better. Any assistance you can give in making this possible would be greatly appreciated. All funds raised through this GoFundMe site will go towards his living expenses, medical expenses, travel expenses and anything else that can help to put a smile on this young boy's face. Needless to say, he deserves it. Thank you.