Our daughters’ sweet friend Ava has been inpatient at St. Mary’s Hospital at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN since September 20, 2023.

During her stay, she received both a heart and kidney transplant and fought through unimaginable complications. Now, after 22 months, Ava is finally stable enough to come home and continue healing.

She will be returning home with a trach, ventilator, 24/7 continuous infusion of milrinone through a PICC line, and 27 medications—all for an indefinite period.

Due to her decreased mobility and suppressed immune system, several home modifications had to be completed before Ava could safely return. These unexpected needs have created a financial burden no family could have prepared for, which is why we’re reaching out to our amazing community to rally behind this incredible family.

Ava’s Journey

Ava was born with one of the most serious congenital heart defects, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, which, simply put, means she was born with half a heart. As if that weren’t enough, she also had compromised blood flow to her lungs in utero, placing her in the highest risk category. She was given less than a 40% chance of survival at birth.

To give Ava the best chance, her Mayo team performed her first open-heart surgery when she was just 90 minutes old. Her parents, Brad and Christina, named her Ava Grace—believing that by the grace of God, she would overcome the medical challenges stacked against her. She had another open-heart surgery several months later, but was never able to undergo the third (Fontan) procedure due to her compromised lungs.

Ava continued to defy the odds and was enjoying third grade in 2021 when her heart and lungs began to struggle again. In the summer of 2022, she underwent a cardiac catheterization that temporarily improved blood flow to her lungs. While she felt better and no longer needed oxygen or a wheelchair, it was only a short-term fix. After an extensive transplant evaluation, Ava was approved and listed for a heart transplant on March 24, 2023. She proudly shared the news with her fourth-grade class and was able to wait at home until worsening heart failure led to her hospital admission on September 20, 2023.

The next day, Ava learned she would need to stay in the hospital to receive life-saving medication around the clock until she received her transplant. It was a huge shock, but in true Ava fashion, she rose to the occasion and made the best of life in the PICU. Christina stayed in Rochester with Ava, while Brad remained home (in Iowa) with their boys to work and keep them in school.

Ava’s condition declined again, and she was placed on ECMO on December 7, 2023. She remained on ECMO until she received her heart transplant on February 24, 2024. The family is forever grateful to the donor and their loved ones for the selfless gift of life during their darkest hour.

The team expected Ava’s lungs to struggle post-transplant, but they did far worse than anticipated. She ended up back on ECMO for over three months and endured countless complications and setbacks. In the process of saving her lungs, her kidneys were injured. After months of dialysis, it became clear they wouldn’t recover, and she would need a kidney transplant.

Thanks to her Uncle Paul, who donated a kidney on her behalf through the National Kidney Registry voucher program, and an amazing matching donor, Ava received her new kidney on January 20, 2025. She was expected to go home in late February, but another series of complications kept her hospitalized for six more months.

Coming Home

Ava still has a long road of healing ahead, but her medical team believes she is finally stable enough to go home. They know that being home is the best medicine. After more than 22 months in the hospital, Ava will be discharged on July 23rd.

To keep her stable and support her recovery, Ava will be going home with a trach, ventilator, continuous milrinone infusion, and 27 medications. While providing this level of care at home is overwhelming, her parents are simply grateful to finally be together as a family again.

Why We’re Asking for Help

Because of Ava’s limited mobility and immune suppression, several home modifications were necessary. On top of that, Brad and Christina were blindsided by the discovery of mold in their attic—caused by improper insulation during construction. The mix of outside air and moist vented air created a dangerous environment. For Ava, even minimal mold exposure could be life-threatening.

Unfortunately, their homeowner’s insurance does not cover mold remediation or the replacement of contaminated walls, ceilings, and exterior sheathing. These urgent repairs, combined with the cost of rebuilding and ongoing care, have created a significant and unexpected financial burden.

How You Can Help

Pray

Christina and Brad have always said the best way to help Ava is through prayer—for her, their family, and the medical teams caring for her. It is by the grace of God that Ava has defied the odds since the day she was born.

Donate

No amount is too small. Your donation will help cover:

-Home repairs and medical modifications

-A new washer, dryer, and refrigerator

-Ongoing care and unexpected expenses

Register as an Organ Donor

One donor can save or improve 75 lives. If you’re not already registered, please consider signing up: https://www.organdonor.gov/sign-up. There is no greater gift than the gift of life.

Support the Organizations That Supported Ava

Two incredible organizations have helped Ava’s family throughout this journey:

-Ronald McDonald House – provided Christina with a home away from home

https://www.rmhcmidwestmwi.org/donate

-Tori’s Angels – helped offset the cost of meals and travel

https://www.torisangels.org/donate

Ava has inspired so many with her strength, kindness, joyful spirit, and unwavering faith. Thank you for standing with her and her family. Your support, prayers, and generosity mean the world to them.

With gratitude,

Jessica Malone & Nikki Opsal