Support Monte Love's Heart Transplant Journey

Monte Love was born in Rochester, NY on May 14, 2024 with complex heart issues. A few weeks after being born, Monte received his first open heart surgery during this surgery unknown to us one of his coronary arteries was kinked. In August of 2024 Monte had a heart attack due to the kinked artery and lost 50% of his heart function, the hospital we were at could not do anything more for him so in September we transferred six hours away to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia where they put a stent in his coronary artery with hopes of regaining heart function. After a couple months of not much progress the team decided to give him his second open heart surgery to do a couple repairs and to put in a Berlin mechanical heart (LVAD) to support the left side of his heart to hopefully aid in recovery. Monte ended up getting an infection in his chest causing where the VAD connects to his aorta to weaken and have a leaking aortic aneurysm. They performed a third open heart surgery to fix his aneurysm in January. Since then we have made some steps forward but unfortunately Monte’s heart looks like it will never fully recover. In February, Monte was added to the Heart Transplant list and is currently waiting for a heart to come in. Because of the other surgeries and countless blood transfusions Monte’s antibodies are extremely high and they tell us to expect to need to wait 18 months or more for a heart to come in and another six months of recovery and checkups after that. Monte’s mom and dad need to stay six hours from home with him in Philadelphia until then. Monte’s mom Charlotte has not been home since before Monte was born and Monte’s dad Matt has been driving home to go to work three days a week as a teacher when he can to cover the insurance and have some income. Charlotte and Matt have been staying at Ronald McDonald Charity houses this whole time but they are near the max amount of time you can stay and will need to get their own apartment in Philadelphia, the most affordable rent they found so far within walking distance of the hospital is $1,200 a month for a studio. Matt’s work has been working with us great this year being very flexible allowing him to keep same pay and insurance premiums. Because of FMLA and sick time running out next school year for Matt to work the same three day a week schedule he will need to take a 40% pay cut and pay $15,000 more in insurance. If he takes the whole year off we will have no income and have to pay the whole $45,000 insurance. In order for the Love family to live in Philadelphia, keep their insurance, and allow Matt to be able to spend a few days a week to see Monte and allow Charlotte to rest they will need $54,400 a year. Monte and the Love family greatly appreciate any and all help and support.