Noah Heick is an 8th grader at West Branch Middle School in West Branch, Iowa. In February 2023, Noah was diagnosed with left ventricular hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a serious heart condition that has rapidly worsened over the past year. Once an active football player, Noah now struggles to breathe with even the slightest exertion. After extensive evaluation at the Cleveland Clinic, doctors determined that Noah needs surgery within the next 30 days to remove a mass from the septal ventricle area of his heart and repair his mitral valve. The surgery will require a lengthy hospital stay, including time in the ICU and a cardiac monitoring unit, followed by at least two weeks in Cleveland for recovery before he can return home to Iowa for rehabilitation.

Noah’s mom, Leah, will be by his side every step of the way. The family faces significant expenses, including flights to and from Cleveland, hotel stays, meals, and other incidentals during their month-long stay away from home. In addition, Leah will need to pay her medical insurance premiums out of pocket while she is unable to work during Noah’s recovery. These costs add up quickly and create a heavy burden during an already stressful time.

Noah’s dream has always been to play football, and this surgery is his chance to not only improve his health, but to be a normal teenager again and fulfill his dreams. Noah is incredibly brave and says, 'I’ll be back for football.' Please consider supporting Noah and his family during this difficult journey. Your generosity will help ease their financial worries and allow them to focus on what matters most—Noah’s recovery and his future.