Community Rallying to Help 20-Year-Old Who Needs a New Heart

Emily Progin, PR and Communications Coordinator

COMMUNITY RALLYING TO HELP 20-YEAR-OLD WHO NEEDS A NEW HEART

Born with Half a Heart, Joey Codoni Still “Has the Biggest Heart Around”

ROHNERT PARK, Calif.—20-year-old Joseph “Joey” Codoni was born with half a heart. Joey has experienced more medical interventions, hospitalizations, and emergencies in his 20 years than most people will in a lifetime. Joey needs a new heart to keep moving forward with a healthy, happy life and future. Told to prepare for $50,000 to $100,000 in out-of-pocket expenses, Joey’s loving family has started a fundraising campaign with the nonprofit Help Hope Live to bring the incredible gift of new life within reach for Joey.

Joey’s medical challenges started at his first seconds of life. His heart issue was not detected before birth, which led to immediate emergency medical care and his first open-heart surgery when he was just four days old. His second surgery took place at six months. Those interventions and hospitalizations have continued throughout his childhood and young adulthood, leading to an emotional and physical journey for his entire family.

Joey’s heart issues severely limit his ability to take in sufficient oxygen for everyday activities and participate fully in the world around him. Even with half a heart, his family says Joey “has one of the biggest hearts around”—he exudes positivity, lives in the moment, manages his stress and challenges with grace, and never views himself as a victim.

Now, Joey’s family is facing new hope—and new challenges. Joey needs a heart transplant to survive. The gift of new life provides a whole new source of hope for his future to engage in simple goals like joining a basketball team, going for a hike, or riding his bike. A true people-person, Joey says he would love to find work in the service industry or anywhere he can make an impact on people’s lives.

While transformative, heart transplants are exceptionally expensive, even with insurance. Joey’s family has been told to make available between $50,000 and $100,000 for uncovered transplant-related costs, including temporary relocation to San Francisco as he recovers.

That’s why Joey’s loved ones have turned to the trusted medical fundraising nonprofit Help Hope Live. Donations can be made at: https://helphopelive.org/campaign/21021/

Unlike a GoFundMe campaign, donations to Help Hope Live in honor of Joey are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, and all funds raised will be managed by the nonprofit to cover verified medical and related expenses. Help Hope Live verifies medical and financial need for every patient.

Help Hope Live is a national nonprofit that specializes in engaging communities in secure, tax-deductible fundraising campaigns for people who need a transplant or are affected by a catastrophic injury or illness. Since 1983, campaigns organized by Help Hope Live have raised over $165 million to pay patient expenses. ###

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Written by Emily Progin