Support Keona's Heart Surgery

Dear Friends, Family, and Community,

My name is Koa, and my brother, Javan (aka Keona), has a heart condition known as Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). HCM is a genetic condition that causes the heart muscle to thicken and stiffen, making it harder for the heart to pump blood. Keona was tested and diagnosed with this condition in 2018. With deep faith and love for god, he has been a trooper ever since. However, 4 weeks ago, it was found that Keona has a major obstruction in his heart. He will need a specialized open heart surgery to remove the obstruction and fix the issue. It has been a hard battle to find a cardiac surgeon that would take his specific case. Finally we were able to find a doctor in Cleveland, OH that had the confidence and talents to help Keona. He is only 18 and has his whole life ahead of him. Since he was young, he has always shared in volunteer work helping the community. But especially now that he is 18, other volunteer opportunities are now open to him where my wife and I live here in Hudson Valley, NY. He is determined to pull through this surgery, recover and give his all in helping and serving others. He is an amazing guy, and I want him to have even more years to share with others his faith, humor, love, empathy, and talents. He really has a BIG heart, both figuratively and literally.

This news has come as a shock to all of us, and we are doing everything we can to support him through this challenging journey.

My parents and Keona will need to travel from Washington State to Ohio for the procedure. With medical bills, hospital stays, and post-operative care, we are facing significant financial burdens. As we navigate this unexpected situation, we are asking for your help.

Keona is not just my brother; he is a loving son, a devoted friend, and an incredible person.

If you are unable to contribute financially, sharing this campaign with your network would mean the world to us. Your prayers and positive thoughts are also greatly appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for any support you can provide.