When my son Brayden was born, he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, 1 in 100 kids get diagnosed with chd every year and unfortunately my son was that 1. His left ventricle was double the size it should have been and was hardly pumping causing his right ventricle to do the work for both. Brayden is a warrior, He spent over 100 days in the hospital and had a very high risk open-heart surgery at 2 months old to replace a leaking valve located in his left ventricle. The first surgery was hard on us as a family, i was a newly wed and brayden is my first baby! My husband unfortunately had to go back home at the time to work so that we could make ends meet which meant every night i had to kiss my sweet baby goodbye as i had to sleep at the Ronald McDonald house. After all was said and done i was able to take my baby home and learn of all the challenges that came with not just a first born but a chd baby. I had to learn how to give shots, fix a feeding tube, go to physical therapy and so much more. Luckily now he doesn’t have to do all of that for Brayden is an amazing little boy! He is so full of life, wonder, and love! Unfortunately back in April at his yearly cardiology appointment we were informed that it was time for Brayden to have a second open heart surgery!

This is a struggle because we live in Boise, Idaho, and will have to travel to Las Vegas.

The surgery will happen on August 20, 2025 and will require at least 5 days in the hospital and at least a week or two of recovery. During this time my husband and myself have to take time off of work so we can be there to support Brayden. We will be driving to Vegas on August 13 and Brayden will be admitted to the hospital on the 14th. How long we will be down there is still unknown and how long we will both be out of work is also unknown. I want to Thank each and everyone who has taken the time to either donate, share this gofundme, or has kept our family in their thoughts and prayers! i have come to realize that it truly takes a village to raise a child and without the help of so many who knows where we would be today? I am extremely scared for these next steps and worry about what the future will hold. Brayden is a fighter, he did it once and i know he will do it again!