Brendan is a remarkable young man who got a bad hand dealt when it came to hearts and his health. He received a heart transplant in June of 2012, after 3 other open heart surgeries attempting to fix a very rare congenital heart defect. He was two months shy of his 2nd birthday. He is now nearly 16 (August 23) and he has gotten one final and irreversible terminal diagnosis of stage 3 CAV (coronary allograft vasculopathy). Essentially, his left coronary system is completely blocked, and no amount of hail Mary surgeries is going to extend his life anymore, period. Brendan has chosen to go on hospice so he can live out what's left of his busy teenage life in relative peace. No more doctors, no more hospitals, no more major tests, no more poking and prodding. He's got about 6 months before his heart gives out, no matter how stubborn he is.

I am raising funds to help with memorial costs and general living expenses as I usher my amazing young man through the "valley of the shadow of death" because I am struggling so hard. Every time I leave to go to work and barely scrape by (I have to work minimum wage so that Brendan keeps his Medicaid), I feel guiltier because I can't give him the ending anyone would want. I can't even guarantee I will be there when his heart gives out because I'm trying my best to work hard to keep a roof over his and his little brother's head.

Brendan is determined that he won't voluntarily let go until he gets his black belt in karate (he's over half way to that goal) and he really wants to get a driver's license to say he did, if he makes it to 16. He'd also love to go see his older brother in the Marines one more time. He's still got things on his bucket list but it's getting pretty dire financially with my one income. So I'm giving up and asking for help. Honestly anything helps.

Brendan's full journey and story is on Facebook: Brendan Rare Heart