About this fundraiser

The photo shows me with my surgeon from Egleston Children's Hospital after my aortic valve replacement surgery in 1991, when I was only 11 years old. I have been on blood thinners since then and my doctors have been closely monitoring my valve.

In my extended years, I was able to join the Boy Scouts and earned my Eagle in 1998. I am an advanced open water PADI scuba diver, Advanced EMT, volunteer fireman and I am a handyman. I am married to an awesome and loving woman and we have 2 young children. 

Unfortunately, my valve will need to be replaced very soon due to pannus buildup, calcification and an aneurysm that unavoidably developed over time. The procedure that has been recommended by the cardiothoracic surgeons is an extremely technical and much more complex procedure called a Ross. This is much more technical than the already involved “traditional” aortic valve replacement surgery.

Because of my “preexisting condition”, I paid elevated insurance premiums and prescription costs for years. Due to my childhood valve replacement, the ascending aortic graft that was done in 1991 and the aneurysm that I now have, I will need to go to a high volume and specialized facility for my upcoming surgery. However, all of the available insurance policies show the more skilled and experienced facilities as out of network - which means, a much greater out of pocket expense. This is not an elective procedure but a necessary, very complex and lifesaving procedure!

My family and I are thankful to any of you who can help financially in any way!

Jimmy