RJ’s Heart Fund

Many of you may know my little cousin Joelle Drisdelle (I always refer to her as my niece).

This is her and her fiancé Bobby Filipek.

Joelle is a 3rd grade teacher in Southampton and has wanted to be a “mommy” for as long as I can remember.

Sadly, their son RJ (Robert John) has a very rare heart disorder, (1 in 100,000) called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Also known as Half a Heart Kids or Heart Warriors.

The left ventricle does not function, meaning his heart can’t pump blood to his body. (Right now Joelle is pumping for him).

RJ will need THREE LIFE SAVING SURGERIES. These surgeries will reroute the blood to pump through the right ventricle, the first surgery taking place soon after birth. (This is the most complex congenital heart defect).

Joelle is being induced on March 2nd at Boston Children’s Hospital. His first surgery will require a 4-6 weeks hospital stay, followed by a 2nd surgery at 4-6 months old, and a 3rd one at 2-4 years old.

As you can well imagine this has been devastating news and extremely hard for them to process.

My hope with this GoFundMe is to help Joelle and Bobby with the expenses of staying in Boston with RJ during his hospital stays.

If you can help make this easier financially by donating it would be so GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!