Samuel's Story

Samuel Robert Akin was born in Visalia, CA. He had a heart murmur at birth which developed into aortic stenosis at the age of 15. Samuel had to have emergency open heart surgery to replace his deteriorating valve with a prosthetic valve. At that time, he had spent 22 days in the hospital because he had multiple complications. Within 4 years, the first valve replacement deteriorated to the point where it became critical and was decided he needed a second valve replacement.  This replacement had increased difficulty because he had to have not only the valve replaced with another prosthetic valve, but he also had to have his aortic root replaced and had to receive a pace maker because his "bottom" part of his heart was not speaking to the "top" part of his heart.  In the summer of 2020, Samuel became short of breath and a doctors appointment was scheduled with his heart specialist. It was determined that his valve would need to be replaced again. Samuels newly scheduled open heart surgery will be on December 7th, 2020. This time he will receive a metal valve. This will be his 3rd open heart surgery since he was 15 and he is now 27. We are starting this GoFundMe to cover cost of surgery for Samuel and his wife. The funds will be used to cover whatever insurance does not cover for his surgery. If there are funds left over, those left over funds will be deposited into a non-profit charity that will go to Valley Children's Hospital and heart valve research.  Thank you for your prayers and your support to the Akin family.