Team Brody

Brody is an amazing 15 year old boy who was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). Any one who knows Brody knows he has a smile that can light up a room. Brody gives 110% in everything he does, his heart hasn’t stopped him from living an amazing life, he enjoys baseball, basketball, football and riding 4 wheelers. Brody has an amazing support team behind him and a Mother who you can hear cheering from the crowd. Brody’s mom has a heart big enough for the both of them. She truly is one of the most selfless people I have ever met. Gina is a single mom, she works full time is a member of the PTA group, booster club and Cub Scout leader. She helps out our community in anyway that she can and doesn’t know the word no.. lol Gina and Brody need our help more then ever right now. On 3/7/22 Brody was life flighted to Dornbecker children's hospital after many tests doctors decided it was best to fly Brody to Standford Children’s hospital. This last week it has felt like life has literally stopped us in our tracks. Gina was able to fly to Standford with Brody but Brody’s Dad Travis and Fiancé Christina had to drive, Logan Brody’s little brother has been with close friends of the family. Last night we were hit with the reality that Brody’s heart has done it’s time, and his parents were given the hardest news of their life. Here is the most recent update from Gina:

What a day. Today Travis and I were faced with the hard reality that Brody's heart is done. He is in true heart failure. Now for the better news. As long as one more blood test comes back negative, Brody will have surgery in the next few days or so to implant a VAD in his heart. A Ventricular Assistive Device. This device comes with risks and complications like anything does, but this is our option. Then, after an evaluation, we are hoping he will be approved for the Heart Transplant List. The VAD will do the work of his heart for him until he can hopefully get a new heart. This may require at least him and I to temporarily relocate to here, but it sounds like the Ronald McDonald House could potentially be an option. This is a day we always knew wpuld come we just hoped and prayed it would be further out and not so suddenly.

The Drs have said that this quick decline is quite common in kids.

They all have been happily surprised atbhis active life he has lived, Football, Baseball, Basketball, 4 wheelers and a good amount of activity. This is where my heart thanks every single coach Brody has ever had for helping Brody have a quality childhood.

Transplant is not a cure. It comes with a host of risks and they don't last 50 60 years, if we get 20 we would be thrilled. There is potential for more but remember this is a foreign object doing a big job in his body.

With a VAD he cannot submerge so no baths, (showers a-ok), no vacuuming and no laundry. It is a static issue.

Small prices to pay for being able to live.

Still many many unknowns but the folks here do this every single day, all day.

Over the next week we will be in a lot of meetings with a lot of different people, including teaching. The hope would be within a couple days of surgery Brody would be awake!

Now is our chance to help this amazing family that has been there for many of us over the years. Please if you can’t donate we understand and ask only that you keep our Brody and his family in your prayers. Thank you so much!