Hi, my name is Emily Grywza and I’m an 18 year old girl living with aortic stenosis, a severe heart condition that I’ve battled my whole life. I suffer from this due to complications of being born to parents struggling with addiction. Around two months old, I had a hole in my heart that required surgery, and again in first grade I had corrective surgery. Currently, 13 years later, I am suffering from the hole reopening and require another critical procedure in summer 2025. The valve is in need of replacement, but this hopefully could be the last major surgery needed for me to live comfortably. Due to my condition, I’ve never been able to enjoy sports, amusement parks, or any activity that raises my heart rate. My condition is affecting my daily life once again and I hope after this surgery I can finally life comfortably.

I was adopted by my incredible single mother, a nurse practitioner at Shands Hospital. She has raised 7 children (3 biological, 4 adopted and 2 of whom are autistic), as well as fostered 10 more children all on her own. Despite her dedication to saving countless lives, she’s facing extreme medical expenses which are overwhelming and hard to handle. Insurance only covers a fraction of the costs, and treatments for my condition whether surgical valve repair or replacement can range from $40,000 to over $80,000.

We’re asking for support to help fund my lifesaving care and recovery. Every dollar will go toward procedure costs, hospital bills, medications, and aftercare not just for me, but to ease the financial burden on a selfless mom who has always put our family first. Your generosity will allow me to live fully, free from the limitations of my heart condition, and give my mom a much-needed relief. Thank you for being part of our journey.