I've gone back and forth on making this post because asking for help is not easy, but at this point, I will do absolutely anything to save my son.

As many of you know, Junior has been hospitalized since the day he was born. He will be 2 years old in December, and in that time, his medical journey has become more complex than we ever could have imagined. He is currently in end-stage heart failure and has been waiting for a heart transplant, but we have not been able to secure one here. Because of that delay, his condition has continued to decline and has led to additional complications, some of which are now permanent and irreversible. Junior has suffered 6 strokes and 4 major heart attacks, and he has required over 135 blood transfusions to sustain his life. Most recently, we are facing one of the most critical points in his journey: he now has two significant brain bleeds and is experiencing recurrent seizures. Neurosurgery placed a drain to relieve pressure and remove blood and fluid from his brain, but unfortunately, it failed. It was replaced again in an emergency procedure at 2 AM, and that drain has also stopped functioning. We are truly in a position where every intervention carries risk, and every delay carries even greater consequences. After extensive conversations with his care team and doing my own research into transplant wait times, regional organ allocation, and specialized pediatric cardiac programs, it has become very clear that we need to relocate to Boston, MA immediately. Hospitals there serve a much larger population and are part of a denser transplant network, including close proximity to New York. This significantly increases the likelihood of receiving a donor heart in time. Remaining in Gainesville greatly reduces his chances, and I am terrified that if we stay here much longer, I will lose my son. This is not a decision made lightly; it is one made out of urgency, data, and the absolute need to give Junior the best possible chance at survival.

I have created a GoFundMe to help cover the cost of relocating, medical coordination, temporary housing, and everything that comes with transferring his care to a new facility. If you are able to donate, it would mean more to us than I can ever put into words. If you are not in a position to give, I completely understand; please do not put yourself or your family in a difficult spot. Even just liking, sharing, and getting this message out helps us more than you know.

If you would like to support us directly:

Cash App: $Sblehm161996

Zelle: [phone redacted]

Junior has been fighting since before he even took his first breath. He is the strongest little boy I know, and he deserves every chance to keep fighting. I am doing everything in my power to make sure he gets that chance, even if it means traveling across the country to do it. Thank you for every prayer, every message, every share, and every ounce of support you've given us. Nothing goes unnoticed, and we carry it with us every single day.

Please keep my baby in your prayers.