Cedric Anton Thomas Jr. (CJ), a native of Augusta, Georgia, was born in 1998 with a Congenital Heart Condition called Ebstein’s Anomaly. In addition to his Congenital Heart Condition, at the age of 5, he was diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus Type I. He had his first heart surgery in July 2009, which repaired his tricuspid valve. At that time, it was established that in the future he would require another heart surgery.
In February 2019, CJ suffered a minor stroke which prompted the urgency of second surgery to replace this tricuspid valve. CJ and family arrived to Duke University Hospital in Durham North Carolina on February 15, 2021 in anticipation for the scheduled Tricuspid Valve Replacement. Since that time, CJ has been hospitalized at Duke University Hospital.
Unfortunately, he has experienced an extended and complicated hospital stay which included multiple heart procedures, tricuspid valve replacement, mechanical ventilation, cardiac arrest requiring external cardiac and respiratory support. With the medical team’s strong recommendation and CJ’s consent, a successful Heart Transplantation was completed on Saturday March 13, 2021 at Duke University Hospital. During this life challenging process, CJ has been comforted and supported by his immediate family every step of the way.
CJ embodies the true meaning of resilience. He has not allowed his medical conditions and circumstances stop him. He has remained active, from being an International Baccalaureate Student at the Academy of Richmond County High School and an ARC Band Member and Drum Major, an active member of his church Mount Sinai Baptist Church of Augusta, Ga, and a college student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he is majoring in Biology. The resiliency and strength that CJ has displayed throughout this process and his life has been phenomenal, unbelievable and honorable.
Now, CJ is in need of financial assistance from external sources. We are requesting your support for CJ in his Heart Transplant recovery and assistance with what undoubtedly will be astronomical ongoing medical costs. CJ will be out of work for an extended period of time and will be unable to pay his rent or support himself financially. Your charitable donations and financial support will help defray the prohibitive costs of prolonged lodging and travel expenses for post-operative appointments, medications, medical bills.
We are proud of this remarkable young man and are devoting ourselves to working hard to help ensure that he be allowed the opportunity to live the long and productive life that he deserves. We are confident that you will lend your prayers and donations to join us in this endeavor.
CJ’s family has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.
For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.
Thank you for your support!
