Support RW's Heart Transplant Journey

Update 02/26/2025

Dub got his upgrade! We are so grateful RW was able to get a new heart yesterday. The surgery went really smoothly and he is currently recovering in the ICU. He had a breathing tube in most the day but even got that out this afternoon. So far, so good and things are going as good as they can. He will be in the ICU for a few days or a week and then continue to recover at the hospital for a few weeks following. He will then have a long road filled with lots of doctor’s appointments and rehab. The support for him and his family has been felt and we are all so grateful and ask for continued support and prayers that his long recovery can go well. We are so grateful for modern medicine and the doctors and nurses that have helped RW so much! ❤️

Update 02/20/2025:

Thank you, thank you for all the love and support for RW and his family the last few weeks!! It’s the waiting game at this point. In a continued effort to help raise funds for this long journey, see the link below with t-shirts and hoodies commemorating “Dub’s Upgrade.” All profits from the apparel will go to RW and Vanessa.

Thank you so much to The Ogden Tee Room and Stone Mountain Press for helping make this happen!! We would love to see everyone in their heart swag. Please take a picture and tag RW and Vanessa on Facebook/Instagram once you receive your swag.

https://ogdentees.com/collections/dubs-upgrade

Dub is getting an upgrade!

RW has been put on the heart transplant list.

RW was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy when he was 12 years old. He got his first defibrillator in 1999 when he was on his mission in Seattle, Washington. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy makes the heart muscles become abnormally thick and makes it hard for the heart to pump blood.

RW continues to get incredible care from his team of doctors at the University of Utah Hospital and has had years with many appointments, medications, surgeries, and follow-ups. Despite his condition, RW has been able to have an awesome life and go on many adventures with his family and friends.

RW will remain in the hospital until he gets a new heart, which means months away from work and away from home. Once RW receives a new heart, he will continue to have months of recovery and not be able to work.

We'd like to raise money to help alleviate the financial stress for RW and his wife Vanessa so they can spend as much time together during this time. We appreciate the outpouring of love and support that has been shown to RW, Vanessa, Addi, Luke, and Raven!