Dalton is an eight-year-old from Arizona with an old soul and a heart full of love for the simple things; watching baseball, enjoying good food, and spending time with the people he loves most. He was born with a complex, life-threatening congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), meaning the left side of his heart is severely underdeveloped. Over time, he also developed a rare and serious complication called protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), making it even harder for his body to stay strong.

Since birth, Dalton has faced more than most children ever should. This past year has been especially difficult. He underwent three open-heart surgeries and spent nearly 50 days in the hospital, including extended time in the ICU. Through it all, he has remained incredibly resilient, carrying a quiet strength and perspective well beyond his years that continues to inspire everyone around him.

Dalton loves baseball and is currently playing, but rebuilding his strength has been incredibly challenging. After everything his body has endured, he has very little muscle mass and limited energy. As part of his recovery, he now requires ongoing cardiac rehabilitation and sports-focused physical therapy to help him safely regain strength and work toward getting back on the field in a way his body can handle.

Dalton’s family has always done everything they can to support him and manage the financial weight of his care mostly on their own. But this most recent chapter has pushed them beyond what they can carry alone.

During Dalton’s extended hospital stay, Krista was by his side full-time, stepping away from work to care for him. Around the same time, Bryan experienced an unexpected job loss, and the family faced a temporary pause in medical insurance. With ongoing medical needs, rehabilitation, daily expenses, and the cost of recovery, the financial strain has become overwhelming.

This fundraiser is intended to help ease that burden, covering ongoing medical care, cardiac rehab and physical therapy, hospital-related expenses, and everyday needs as Dalton continues to heal. It will also help their family begin building Dalton’s Field of Dreams Foundation, inspired by his love of baseball and his desire to bring joy to other children facing serious illnesses.

Those closest to this family have witnessed their strength, their love, and the way they continue to show up for Dalton day after day. Now, they could truly use the support of their community.

If you feel moved to help, any donation, no matter the amount, will make a meaningful difference for Dalton and his family during this time. And if you’re unable to give, simply sharing this page helps more than you know.

Thank you for supporting Dalton and being part of his journey.

You can follow Dalton's journey on Instagram and TikTok at @demichelidiaries.