❤️Supporting Andy's Open Heart Surgery & Recovery Fund

Hey everyone,

I’m reaching out to Andy and Josie’s friends and family during a critical time. Our friend Andy is facing urgent open-heart surgery on January 5th at the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis.

The Sudden & Critical Need for Surgery

Andy was born with a severe congenital heart defect (CHD), and while they knew a fourth surgery would be necessary someday, a recent heart cath procedure in November showed his condition was much worse than anticipated, drastically speeding up the timeline.

On January 5th, Andy will be having both his aortic and mitral valves replaced with mechanical valves.

They thought they had years to save and prepare for this. The sudden need for this operation means they are now scrambling to manage significant financial costs, lost income, and the logistical nightmare of caring for their 5-month-old son, Benson, while Andy is in the hospital and recovering.

❤️ Andy's Lifelong Heart Journey

To understand why this surgery is so critical, you need to know Andy's history. He was born with a rare and severe congenital condition called Shone's Complex. His heart has five distinct defects, making his situation particularly challenging. Over his life, Andy has faced an incredible number of medical interventions, including three major open-heart surgeries and many other procedures. The procedure on January 5th is a challenging, necessary fourth open-heart surgery—the latest chapter in his lifelong battle.

Organizing Support

Josie and Andy are the last people who would ever ask for help. They need us to rally around them during one of the most challenging experiences of their lives.

So many of you have asked how you can help. This GoFundMe is the simplest, most direct way to offer them support. There is absolutely no pressure to donate—even just sharing this link is a huge show of love and support for them.

What the Next Few Months Look Like

Andy’s recovery will be intensive and long:

Hospital Stay: He will be in the hospital for about two weeks, including time in the ICU.

Recovery: His doctors said he will be off work for a minimum of 10-12 or more weeks.

The Financial Hit (Andy's Income): During this recovery, Andy will only receive 60% of his income. This massive pay cut comes at a time when medical bills will be piling up and essential household bills still need to be paid.

Unexpected Workplace Strain: In addition to the medical crisis, Josie is dealing with unexpected company changes and uncertainty at her job, dramatically increasing the family's stress and need for support.

The first two weeks after he comes home will require Josie and close family to provide almost 100% of his care. Our primary goal is to lift the financial burden so Josie can dedicate all her energy to Andy's recovery and caring for Benson.

Where Your Support Will Go

We are raising funds to help bridge this financial gap and give Andy the stress-free recovery he deserves.

Note: Josie and Andy are lucky to have family pitching in with hands-on help (including Andy’s mom helping during the initial hospital stay). This fundraiser is strictly focused on helping them cover the unavoidable financial and logistical burdens detailed below.

Medical & Financial Relief

Income Replacement: Covering the 40% loss of Andy’s income for the 10-12 or more weeks he’s out of work. This is vital for covering their mortgage and essential bills.

Childcare & Travel Logistics

Increased Childcare: Funding the potential need to increase 5-month-old Benson’s daycare schedule from part-time to full-time. Doctors have informed them there is a high chance children under the age of five will not be allowed in the care units, making continuous, safe childcare for Benson absolutely essential while Josie focuses on Andy's intensive hospital stay and initial recovery.

Fuel & Travel: Covering the constant cost of gas for:

Commuting between their home and the U of M Medical Center in Minneapolis for two weeks and all the follow-ups.

Driving 4-5 times a week for Andy’s cardiac rehab sessions in Woodbury or Hudson for 8 or more weeks.

Home & Recovery Assistance

At-Home Care: Assistance with household expenses and groceries while Josie is dedicating her time to Andy’s initial post-discharge care.

Final Thoughts

This is a challenging situation. Every prayer, every share of this link, and every donation will directly help alleviate the immense financial pressure on Josie and Andy. It will allow them to put their energy where it belongs: on Andy's healing and on their sweet little family.

For updates on Andy’s health and recovery, you can follow along on his CaringBridge site here: http://bit.ly/49kzHyh

Let’s lift them up and show them how much we care.

Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity during this difficult time.

With so much love,

Lauren & Ali