My dad grew up in Mexico, and since the age of 23 was back and forth between Mexico and Houston, since his job was based in Houston. My parents have been married for 23 years and have raised my brother (Carlos, 20), sister (Sofia, 15) and me (Alexandra, 22). He is the supervisor for the La Marque store branch of Mustang Tractor Company, where he has worked for over 30 years. Anyone who meets my dad can tell you he is a funny guy, always joking around and he has the biggest heart of anyone I know.

My father recently fell ill when he starting to have difficulties doing any physical activity, including walking. When he went to the hospital, the diagnosis we received was shocking. He was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, and we were even told that he had suffered many heart attacks, and he never knew. Due to the heart attacks scarring his heart making it irreparable, my dad has to receive a heart transplant. He has now been in the hospital for over a month; the doctors have explained to us that he will not be able to go home until he receives a transplant because his heart is too fragile. He is at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in Houston, Texas, waiting for the gift of life, a new heart.

My dad has health insurance, but of course this does not cover all of the health expenses. There will be insurance co-pays, post-transplant medications (some he will have to take for the rest of his life) and more. Our household is a single-income home, all coming from my dad; this makes coming up with all of the out-of pocket expenses a difficult task.

To help with this financial burden, a fundraising campaign in my dad’s honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the South-Central Heart Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. Your contribution is greatly appreciated.Any donation will be greatly appreciated. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,
Alexandra Garza
832-310-7439
aly_gee90@yahoo.com