Wyatt's Warriors
Donation protected
We are setting up a Go Fund Me account to help the Church family pay for medical expenses and travel costs for the upcoming birth of their baby boy, Wyatt, who is due in May. Wyatt was diagnosed with a major heart defect that falls into the classification of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). In the simplest sense, this means that the left side of his heart will never be fully developed and in order for Wyatt to survive outside of the womb, he will need multiple open heart surgeries during the first few years of life. The first surgery being necessary days after his birth.
Due to the rarity of his condition, there are only a handful of institutions that perform the surgeries necessary to keep him alive. Luckily, one of these institutions is located in North Carolina at Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte. In the absolute best case scenario, Wyatt would be in the hospital for about 6 weeks after birth, but unfortunately, many HLHS babies spend several months in the hospital after the first open heart surgery.
The second open heart surgery will take place around 3-5 months of age and will require another prolonged hospital stay. Then, around the age of 3, Wyatt will go in for the 3rd surgery needed to complete his single ventricle heart. After the third surgery, Wyatt should be able to live a pretty normal life up until his teenage years when a full heart transplant will most likely be needed.
This has obviously been very difficult news for Jared and Katherine to digest as they plan for Wyatt's future. It is our hope that donations will offset some of the financial burdens the family will endure with medical expenses, travel, overnight stays, and meals. As you may be aware, this website takes a portion of the funds raised, so should you wish to give donations directly to the family, you can do so by contacting Sally Queen at [email redacted]. If you are unable to give financially, prayers are always accepted for the Churches as they continue this heart journey.
If you would like more information on HLHS and some of the associated charities, we have provided some links below.
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
http://www.carolinashealthcare.org/body_levine.cfm?id=13835&
The Greg Olsen Foundation - The Heartest Yard
http://receptionsforresearch.org/programs/the-heartest-yard/
Sincerely,
Sally Queen (cousin of Katherine)
Due to the rarity of his condition, there are only a handful of institutions that perform the surgeries necessary to keep him alive. Luckily, one of these institutions is located in North Carolina at Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte. In the absolute best case scenario, Wyatt would be in the hospital for about 6 weeks after birth, but unfortunately, many HLHS babies spend several months in the hospital after the first open heart surgery.
The second open heart surgery will take place around 3-5 months of age and will require another prolonged hospital stay. Then, around the age of 3, Wyatt will go in for the 3rd surgery needed to complete his single ventricle heart. After the third surgery, Wyatt should be able to live a pretty normal life up until his teenage years when a full heart transplant will most likely be needed.
This has obviously been very difficult news for Jared and Katherine to digest as they plan for Wyatt's future. It is our hope that donations will offset some of the financial burdens the family will endure with medical expenses, travel, overnight stays, and meals. As you may be aware, this website takes a portion of the funds raised, so should you wish to give donations directly to the family, you can do so by contacting Sally Queen at [email redacted]. If you are unable to give financially, prayers are always accepted for the Churches as they continue this heart journey.
If you would like more information on HLHS and some of the associated charities, we have provided some links below.
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
http://www.carolinashealthcare.org/body_levine.cfm?id=13835&
The Greg Olsen Foundation - The Heartest Yard
http://receptionsforresearch.org/programs/the-heartest-yard/
Sincerely,
Sally Queen (cousin of Katherine)
Organizer and beneficiary
Katherine Carson Church
Organizer
Winston-Salem, NC
Katherine Church
Beneficiary