Joshua is a father of 4 children and tries to stay active with his kids but is finding it more difficult each day.
Joshua was born with a rare Heart Defect called Transposition of the Great Vessels or D-TGA. Joshua had heart surgery at 5 hours old and again at 8 months old.
Josh did very well after these surgeries, but they were only a temporary fix. Now he is in Right sided heart failure due to the fact that his right side of his heart has been doing the very hard work of the left. This causes a tremendous strain and enlargement of the right side of the heart.
This means that Joshua’s heart no longer pumps efficiently and that he cannot get rid of excess fluid which can collect around his heart as well as in his lungs.
Joshua has worked nearly all of his life, since he was a 10-year-old helping his dad in his cleaning business until these last 2.5 years when his heart began to fail. Joshua has a hard time walking any distance at all and does not have the quality of life he will obtain with a New Heart.
On Dec. 1 of this year, Joshua will go onto the Transplant list to seek a new heart. We have been being followed by the Transplant Team at Boston General Hospital for these past couple of years.
The out-of-pocket expenses for a transplant are incredibly high with costs that can go up to and extra 5000.00 per month just for the drugs alone. Total cost for the Transplant is in the 100,00’s.
We are hoping to have enough funds for at least one of us to stay out in Boston during the Transplant and for the 4-6 weeks needed there to have weekly heart catheterizations with biopsies to make sure he is not going into rejection.
The funds will be used for transportation, food, and lodging and any other out-of- pocket costs, which can get very expensive.
We are in contact with the Transplant Social Worker who gave us a link for a less expensive place to stay which is withing walking distance of the Hospital. We live 3 hours away.
Any donation amount you are able to give is very much appreciated and a little with a lot of people adds up to the needed funds.
Thank you in advance for your support!
We will also be doing fundraisers with enjoyable activities, which I will keep you posted on!
With sincere appreciation,
Barbara E Wentworth
Joshua’s mom
Joshua 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!
