*Update Below* from 1/20/26

12/3/2025 -

Hali is a kind, down to earth, loving 34-year-old who recently experienced an unexpected and life-threatening cardiac emergency. On November 12th, Hali was admitted to Mission Hospital where doctors discovered her heart’s ability to pump was compromised, which resulted in damage to her heart. After spending a week in the hospital undergoing a barrage of testing and monitoring, Hali had a successful surgery where a defibrillator was implanted to help protect her heart from entering a dangerous rhythm that is potentially fatal.

We wish that was the end of the story, but unfortunately it’s just the beginning. Hali will have to undergo many more tests, checkup appointments, and procedures, as well as potentially travel to more specialized hospitals in order to receive the care she needs. These medical interventions and procedures will be spread out over at least two insurance deductibles. Hali will also lose a considerable amount of income from not being able to work while she is recovering from her surgery and adjusting to her new medical reality.

Hali’s family and Asheville friend group have created this fundraiser to help ease the weight of her financial burden. Her out-of-pocket costs are expected to exceed $25,000. Every contribution—whether big or small—helps Hali move forward. Your financial support will go directly toward her medical costs and essential care. Any assistance with getting the word out by sharing this page will also help tremendously.

Thank you so much for showing up for Hali as she maneuvers through this challenging journey. Your compassion, generosity, and healing thoughts mean more than words can express.

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12/16/2025 -

The results from Hali's genetic test came back and it showed that she has an extremely rare and progressive gene mutation that is causing her heart failure. The entire family will be tested as this gene mutation may affect other family members, in particular her identical twin sister Ayla. Moving forward we are going to gather as much information as we possibly can about this disease and how to navigate any further steps and surgeries that Hali and potentially Ayla will need. Thank you so much for your continued support as we move through this distressing time.

Many thanks!

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***UPDATE

1/20/2026

Hello everyone! Thank you so much for your donations and continued support for Hali's heart journey! We wanted to give everyone an update as to where things stand at this time.

The biggest update is that Hali's genetic tests came back positive for Danon Disease. This is an extremely rare x-chromosome linked gene mutation that causes progressive heart failure. The next steps for Hali's treatment will involve getting a cardioversion and possibly an ablation to help with her continual atrial flutter (a type of heart rhythm disorder). Beyond that, the path forward is unknown as to how quickly or slowly the disease will progress. Hali will continue to take a variety of heart medications and will need to get imaging and labs done every 6 months to keep track of her symptoms. At this time the only “cure” for Danon Disease is a heart transplant. There is a future potential for gene therapy, but it is still in the process of being researched. Ayla (Hali's identical twin sister) has also tested positive for Danon Disease. Thankfully Ayla is showing little to no symptoms at this time. This disease is extremely random in its appearance and it is unclear when problems will arise for Ayla as well. She is also going to be monitored with imaging and labs to keep an eye on her heart health status. Ayla and Hali's older sister (Sasha), and mom (Beth) have both tested negative for Danon Disease. The gene mutation is considered to be of 'de nova' origin meaning the genetic mutation happened spontaneously in utero and was not inherited from a parent.

This diagnosis has been quite a shock and has been a difficult new reality to accept. We are doing all we can to learn more about the disease by talking with a multitude of doctors, Danon Disease specialists, and others affected by the disease. We appreciate all of you for supporting Hali and now Ayla with this new disease diagnosis. We are trying to be hopeful for the future and are just taking things day by day. Any continued donations will go towards Hali and Ayla's medical bills for testing, imaging and procedures now and in the future. These donations will help both Ayla and Hali breathe a little easier knowing the weight of financial stress will be less of a burden moving forward.

Many Thanks!

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