<div>My son was born with truncus arteriosis, a rare heart condition that has shaped his journey from the very beginning. He has already faced two open heart surgeries in his young life, and now he is undergoing his third. This time, the surgeons needed to replace his conduit, which they said looked like it had been calcified for 20 years. During the procedure, they also discovered a mass in his good ventricle that was causing it to leak. We were told the surgery went well and that he would be on the road to recovery. But the next day, an echo revealed that the function of his good ventricle—the one we were counting on—had greatly declined. The medical team is doing everything they can to help his body heal before moving to the next step. 
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<div> We are currently an hour and a half from home, and our income is very limited under these circumstances. With only one of us able to work, missing work adds extra stress on our family. All we want is to be able to put our full focus and attention on our little heart warrior. We also have three other children who are staying with sitters. While these amazing people are not charging us, we still need to provide for our kids and would love to be able to thank those who are helping us out. On top of everything, we are struggling to keep up with rent, power, and other finances, making it hard to know what to do next. 
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<div> For those who can help us, my family and I are truly grateful. For those who can't, a simple prayer for our little heart warrior would mean the world to us. We need all the prayers and support we can get as we navigate these hard times. Thank you for reading our story and for caring about our family.
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<div>A Heartbreaking Update on Jojo’s Journey
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<div>We never imagined that after everything Jojo had already fought through, we would be facing another battle like this.
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<div>Just over two weeks after his surgery and the complications that followed, we finally got to bring our sweet boy home. Those five days were a gift we will forever cherish. We thought we were finally turning a corner.
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<div>On June 3rd, we took Jojo to what we believed would be a routine cardiology appointment. Instead, our world was turned upside down once again. Doctors discovered that his lungs were filling with fluid and that his heart function was continuing to decline. Within hours, we were told he needed to be airlifted back to the hospital.
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<div>After arriving, doctors worked tirelessly to stabilize him and determine the best course of action. For a brief moment, we held on to hope that things would improve. But three days later, Jojo took a devastating turn for the worse and had to be placed back on life support.
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<div>Not long afterward, every parent’s worst nightmare became our reality.
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<div>Jojo went into cardiac arrest.
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<div>For 38 long minutes, doctors and nurses fought to save our little boy’s life. For 38 minutes, our family stood helplessly as an incredible medical team refused to give up on him. By the grace of God, they were able to restore his heartbeat and place him on ECMO, a machine that is currently doing the work of his heart and lungs while his body fights to recover.
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<div>The devastating news didn’t stop there.
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<div>The following day, we learned that the prolonged lack of oxygen during the cardiac arrest caused severe injury to Jojo’s brain. Doctors believe he lost approximately 50% or more of the function on the right side of his brain. Shortly after, imaging revealed a significant stroke on the right side of his brain that also caused damage to surrounding brain tissue.
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<div>The LVAD that Jojo was scheduled to receive has now been postponed because of the stroke. His medical team will continue monitoring him closely and will reassess his condition in the coming weeks to determine if and when it can safely move forward.
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<div>Right now, we are living one moment at a time. We don’t have all the answers, and the road ahead remains uncertain. But what we do know is that Jojo has proven time and time again that he is a fighter. Since the day he was born, he has faced obstacles that most people will never have to endure, and he continues to show us what true strength looks like.
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<div>We are asking everyone who reads this to please pray for our baby boy. Pray for healing in his heart. Pray for healing in his brain. Pray for strength as he faces the challenges ahead. Pray for wisdom for his doctors and nurses. And please pray for our family as we walk through the hardest season of our lives.
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<div>If you are unable to donate, we completely understand. Sharing Jojo’s story is just as important. Every share helps us reach more people who can join us in prayer and support.
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<div>From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Thank you for every prayer, every donation, every message, and every act of kindness. We feel your love, and it is helping carry us through these darkest days.
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<div>Please continue to stand with Jojo.
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<div>He needs all of us now more than ever.
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<div>With love and gratitude,
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<div>Jojo’s Family
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Anonymous

Taylor Brady

Tara Cross

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