Help Support Cannon’s Heart Transplant Journey

Hello, world. We are the Keiber Family, and today we are humbly asking for your support during the most challenging chapter of our lives.

Cannon’s Story: A Lifetime of Courage

Our sweet boy Cannon was born on November 22nd, 2007, with two severe congenital heart defects:

• Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)

• Dextrocardia

From the moment he entered this world, he has been a fighter.

At only 6 days old, Cannon underwent his first open-heart surgery — the Norwood procedure.

At 5 months, he endured his second, the Glenn.

At age 5, he had his third major surgery, the Fontan.

Each surgery offered him more time, more milestones, and more memories — but his heart has always needed extraordinary care to keep going.

A Sudden Crisis

In October 2013, when Cannon was just 5, he was life-flighted to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. His Fontan circulation was failing, his tricuspid valve was severely leaking, and other organs were beginning to shut down. Although doctors were able to repair the valve temporarily, the regurgitation eventually returned.

During these years, Cannon was also undergoing frequent spinal surgeries every six months to treat severe scoliosis. Even through so much pain, he remained brave, steady, and strong.

The Hardest News Yet

By October 2024, we were told that medication alone was no longer enough. Cannon had developed extensive scar tissue and irreparable damage — a valve replacement was no longer an option. That was the moment the word “transplant” became our reality.

His liver was being damaged by his failing heart. We began a long, stressful journey of tests, labs, imaging, and consultations with specialists. We were fighting the clock to keep our son alive.

Listed for a Heart

On October 10th, 2025, Cannon was officially placed on the heart transplant list as a Level 1B recipient. We were told the average wait time was 18 months.

We prepared ourselves for a long and terrifying wait.

A Miracle Phone Call

But God had other plans.

On November 11th at 11:34 PM, we received a call that changed everything — they had found a heart for Cannon. Not just a match…

The PERFECT heart.

His transplant was performed on November 13th during a long, emotional overnight surgery.

It was successful. Our miracle happened.

The Road Ahead

While we are overwhelmingly grateful, this journey is far from over.

Heart transplant patients like Cannon are not considered “out of the woods” until one full year post-transplant. There will be:

• Frequent appointments in Kansas City

• Regular biopsies

• Cardiac catheterizations

• Intensive monitoring

• Strict medications and immune suppression

• A mandatory 12-week stay in the KC area before we can even return home

During this time, Cannon’s father, Martin, who is our main source of income, must miss work to be here with us. As much as I wish life outside of these hospital walls could pause, the world keeps spinning — and the bills keep coming.

We will be spending Cannon’s 18th birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, the New Year, and many more days in the hospital or clinic. The financial burden of this journey is more than we can carry alone.

Why We’re Asking for Help

We have always been the family that makes things work. We’ve always pushed through Cannon’s past surgeries without asking for anything in return. We are normally the ones helping others.

But this time… we need help.

Your support — whether through donations, sharing this page, or prayer — will go directly toward:

• Housing and living expenses during our 12-week stay in KC

• Travel to and from hospital appointments

• Lost income while Martin is away from work

• Essential bills that continue at home

• Medical and recovery-related expenses

Most importantly, your help allows us to focus on what truly matters:

Keeping Cannon safe, stable, and healing.

Thank You

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for reading our story, for praying for our sweet boy, and for helping us walk this long road toward recovery.

Your generosity gives us the gift of focusing on Cannon and the miracle God provided.

God bless you all.

— The Keiber Family