It’s hard to describe the amount of heartache that some of our best friends, Matt and Heather, have endured watching their little boy suffer. Brantley was born early at 33 weeks and spent weeks in the NICU just fighting to grow strong enough to come home. Since then, life has been a constant battle filled with hospital stays, specialist visits, and endless worry.

Brantley has a rare metabolic disorder called Primary Carnitine Deficiency, as well as an atrial septal defect (a hole in his heart). He was diagnosed last year as failure to thrive because his body is just not growing well due to these medical issues. In just a few days, this sweet boy will undergo surgery to try to close his atrial septal defect. While we’re all hopeful, Matt and Heather are understandably terrified—no parent should have to watch their child go through this.

As if that weren’t enough, Brantley also struggles with severe hypoglycemia due to his Primary Carnitine Deficiency and has to wear a continuous glucose monitor around the clock. Not long ago, his sugar dropped to a terrifying 32, sending him into ketoacidosis and landing him in the hospital for his 4th birthday. Moments like this leave his parents on edge, constantly fearing the next emergency. They constantly have to divide and conquer to ensure all of their children are cared for. 

Matt and Heather are incredible parents. Matt serves his community as a Tucson Police Sergeant, and Heather is not only a dedicated legal studies student but also a loving mom who gives everything to her four children. They are the strongest people we know, but the financial toll of medical bills, hospital admissions, and trips back and forth to multiple specialists, local hospitals and Phoenix Children’s Hospital has been crushing.

That’s why we’re asking for help on their behalf. The Goldens would never ask for themselves, but we know they need their village now more than ever. Every donation—big or small—will help ease the burden and allow them to focus on what matters most: Brantley’s healing and their families future.

Please join us in lifting up this amazing family. Brantley needs his villagers seen and unseen to help him and his family in this difficult time.