UPDATE!

William is out of surgery!

He is stable and the procedure went pretty seamlessly. He is still sedated and on the breathing tube. But the hope is to get the tube out by tonight or tomorrow morning. Thanks for everyone's prayers and fast. The doctors are very happy with how he handled everything. William will stay in the ICU until he is stable enough to be moved.

UPDATE - William’s open heart surgery is scheduled for August 5th! We appreciate all who have already donated. We are still hoping to raise as much as we can for the Pinter family as new bills are starting to surface. The family will need to journey to Grand Rapids, MI where the surgery will take place and stay at a near hotel for a week with their little children while William recovers in the hospital.

My name is Ella Howse, and I’m reaching out on behalf of my sweet 6-month-old nephew, William Walker, who is preparing to undergo major open-heart surgery to correct a serious congenital heart defect.

William was born with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), and while he has filled our family with joy, love, and laughter, he’s also faced enormous challenges in his short life. Now, he needs a complex and critical open heart surgery that includes the closure of a heart defect and a possible valve reconstruction, but it gives William the best chance at a long, healthy future to continue to be the fighter he is.

William is truly the light of our lives. His favorite thing is listening to people sing, he lights up with every note. He’s the youngest of three siblings: his 3-year-old brother Ben sweetly calls him “We-a-min” and does everything he can to keep him smiling, his 1-year-old sister Daisy is completely devoted, always trying to share her snacks and smother him with kisses.

His parents, Rachel and Austin, are doing everything they can for their little boy, while also caring for two toddlers. The emotional and financial strain of navigating hospital visits, medical bills, and time away from work is immense.

That’s why I’ve created this GoFundMe to help ease the burden on this incredible family and allow them to focus fully on what matters most: getting William through surgery and recovery. All funds raised will go directly toward medical expenses, travel for care, hospital stays, and the specialized post-op treatment William will need.

If you're able to donate, no matter the amount, please know how deeply appreciated your support is. And if now isn’t the right time to give, sharing this page or keeping William in your prayers is just as meaningful.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for standing with William and our family during this time. Your love, generosity, and kindness mean more than we can ever express.

Thank you!

Ella Howse

Proud Aunt of Baby William