My wife Brianna McCarthy was born with a congenital Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) in her right gluteal muscle. An AVM is an abnormal tangle of blood vessels where arteries connect directly to veins, bypassing the normal network of capillaries starving tissues and organs of oxygen and proper nutrients to work properly. This has caused my wife to have early onset high-output heart failure that comes along with exhaustion, dizziness, shortness of breath, memory and concentration difficulties. Not treating her AVM leads to a shortened lifespan due to the strain it causes on her heart. So these procedures are not just necessary, but they’re saving her life.

Brianna had her first life saving surgery on August 6th and will be having her second surgery on September 15th at Wake Forest Atrium Baptist Medical Center in North Carolina. We are blessed that the procedure will covered by my wife’s medical insurance, but need help with other expenses. We are raising money to help pay for childcare for our six children, gas, hotel stay and food while we will be away.

In a lot of ways, our lives have changed significantly over the past few years as I’ve watched this AVM take over my wife’s health. We have also seen so much good come out of this difficult situation in ways we cannot describe in words. Our family has come together in ways that have made us stronger and more resilient, but this AVM has stripped away a future for my wife. Her desire and longing is to be a present mother to our children and with these surgery(s) she will finally be able to have that opportunity again.

$1000 - Babysitter

$350 - Groceries for home

$200 - Gas

$250 - Hotel

$200 - Food

We appreciate your support, prayers and love during this time. Thank you!