Give a HEART to Joey!

Joey is an avid bowler, with a mad and unique two handed swing. He works at a bowling alley as well as playing on a league with his brother, his sister’s boyfriend Kevin and his best friend Zach. His family are super involved with his bowling enjoyment and happy he has found a sport that works with his physical limitations. When Joey is not working or bowling, he will be found playing video games (which is one of his favorite things to do), or out fishing – most likely with his Dad. Joey is lovingly referred to as the “fish whisperer”… he rarely leaves without a bucket of bass, and people have been known to have changed luck simply by standing near him while fishing – he has the magic touch!

Medically, Joey and his family have been on a continuous journey since his birth on 9/21/2002, involving six open heart surgeries and ten heart catheterizations. Joey was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). This means he was born with only half a heart. This was not caught on the sonogram prior to his birth and therefore led to unplanned emergency care and was transported to UCSF hospital where he had his first open heart surgery, called The Norwood, at the tender age of 4 days old. He had his 2nd surgery at 6 months old which ended up having an additional five week stay at the hospital due to getting an infection. His 3rd surgery called The Fontan occurred while Joey was in the second grade. It too brought about complications, in particular the discovery of some issues with his lymphatic system. Many bumps in the road to say the least. His heart condition has involved cardiovascular limitations his whole life which directly affect his oxygen delivery and his energy to do everyday normal activities. As I’m sure you can understand this has been a true emotional, physical and financial journey for Joey and his family. A journey that has now come to be at a place where a new heart is needed.

Even though it is said with his diagnosis that he was born with half a heart, all who have been blessed to know Joey, know that he has one of the biggest hearts around! Joey, besides exuding positivity and love for all, has the tremendous ability to never think of himself as a victim. Joey doesn’t allow the stress of his life and this future heart transplant to get him down and he states he is “…really living day by day and more in the moment”. Joey says that he has aspirations after he gets a new heart… to be able to move beyond the limitations he has lived with for twenty years and do things like join a men’s baseball team, go to the gym with his brother David and “get in shape”, go on a hike or ride his bike for a distance (more than just around the block). So many things the rest of us take for granted are a dream for Joey. Joey wants to find the love of his life and be blessed with a family – children and dogs included. He would “love to work in the service industry – Something that involves interacting with people” – He is truly a people person. A new heart would give Joey the ability to Give Back to people, and to this world in a huge way. More simply, he would have continued life – to spend with his family that he loves and is loved so stongly by. His Father Steve is his hero, his Mom Vicki is his rock, and his siblings Haley and David are his biggest fans and cheerleaders.

The Codoni family want to express that they recognize that “…in order for Joey to receive this Gift of a New Heart, someone has to agree to give so selflessly during the worst day of their life. To be able to think about someone else when grief is so heavy for them, is unimaginable”. They will do all they can to express their gratitude and awe in the fact that this gift will allow their son to live a full and healthy life.

While Joey and his family are ready for him to receive a new heart, the financial impact is staggering. When the Codoni’s get “the big call”, their life will immediately change. They will have 4 hours to get Joey to the hospital in San Francisco. Vicki will immediately leave her full time job as a hairdresser to join Joey in the hospital and then live in a transplant house for months while Joey is in recovery. The medical team advised the family to raise between $50,000 and $100,000 to cover their share of the cost as well as living expenses during those months.

Help Hope Live is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is assisting the Codoni’s in this effort. Help Hope Live organization assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and provides a tax deduction for contributors. Contributors can be confident that 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 so much for your support!