My 16 year old son, Sam, was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy at 6 months old. It's a genetic condition in which his DNA tells the cells in the walls of his heart to grow abnormally. While he's had relatively mild symptoms his whole life, it is a condition that can cause sudden death with no warning. Everything changed this past January. His symptoms became severe, he was unable to walk across the room without being winded and he was sleeping 15 hours a day. Tests showed the septum in his heart had more than doubled in size significantly reducing his hearts ability to function. Two weeks later he went into atrial fibrillation and the doctors said he needed an ICD/pacemaker which he had surgery to implant in February. Although this device keeps him safe, he still has extremely limited functionality. We've been recommended for a septal myectomy at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota which will greatly increase his hearts ability to function. Most others in his situation who've had this operation have reported a completely beneficial life change that they wish they'd done sooner. We do have insurance but there's a $5000 deductible and we will have to pay to travel and stay near the hospital during his surgery and supplemental recovery. We greatly appreciate any help you can give, including your prayers!