Keep Tashawna's Heartbeat Strong
My name is Tashawna Shepard.
I am a licensed CNA. I love spending time with my family. I also like dancing, singing, making arts and crafts, and cooking. I have been married for almost 10 years. My husband and I now have 5 children. We just welcomed our 1st boy, as of September 2023. Two weeks after giving birth, I was experiencing very sharp pains in my back. So, my husband took me to Orlando Hospital.
When we arrived at the hospital, they ran multiple tests and blood work. Doctors came into the ER to inform my husband and I that they would be admitting me. I was informed that I have a rare heart failure. I am currently diagnose with Postpartum Cardiomyopathy, with an enlarged heart. This heart failure is rare, and it can occur in women during their later months of pregnancy or a week or two after delivering. It could possibly happen in 1 out of 1,000,000 women. This is something that all women need to know about before, during, and after a pregnancy.
However, after being admitted into the hospital I ended up with an Impella heart pump which assisted my own heart functions. Come to find out that my heart was only pumping between 10-15%. I’ve also had echo-cardiograms, and 2 different Right Heart catheterizations within a weeks time. Eventhough i’ve been taking all my medications, my heart funtions have decreased even more. As of now, my heart is only pumping between 5-10%.
Having just given birth to our first baby boy, life just sent my family a blessing. It just hurt me to see anyone having to bear so much pain. To sit and wonder if you are going to able to see any of your children or child grow up. Not being able to dance, sing, or even spend time with your family. I need donations with the help of a Heart Transplant. So, if you can please help me to live a longer life, so that I can have hope all over again, that I will be able to see my children grow up, to live a new life with a chance to keep spreading my love.
I have chosen Help Hope Live for my campaign to fundraise because Help Hope Live assures accountability that funds raised can be used to help with receiving a Heart Transplant along with medical-related expenses. You would be able to follow my growth all over social media platforms. So, please donate. If you are not able to donate, please continue to follow and share my story. I am on a mission to stay alive for my family, and with help we can continue to…
Updates (2)
July 20, 2026
Dear Friends and Supporters,As many of you know, I am a mother of five children. Before the birth of my youngest son, I loved dancing, singing, cooking, and simply enjoying time with my family and friends. However, after having my son in September 2023, I was diagnosed with Postpartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a rare heart condition. At that time, I was told my heart was only pumping between 10-15%, and I was placed on heavy heart medications. It has been incredibly difficult wondering if I would live to see my children grow up.Despite ongoing research, heart disease remains the number one silent killer in the world. While I have health insurance, it does not cover all of my medical expenses, leaving me with substantial out-of-pocket costs for medications and medical bills.In 2024, I underwent a heart transplant evaluation but was told by doctors that I was not eligible because I was too young. Unfortunately, despite all the medication I am currently taking, my heart is still failing. Following a stress test on June 5, 2026, and a follow-up appointment on July 15, 2026, my doctor informed me that my condition has not improved. As a result, I am being transferred back to the transplant team to undergo another heart transplant evaluation.To help me navigate this journey and live a longer life for my family, I have launched a fundraising campaign through Help Hope Live. I chose this organization because they ensure accountability, guaranteeing that all funds raised are used directly for my heart transplant and related medical expenses.Your donations will help cover medical bills, lodging before and after the transplant, medications, and transportation to and from doctor visits. You can follow my journey on social media for regular updates.Please consider donating to help save my heartbeat. If you are unable to donate, you can still support me by keeping my family in your prayers and sharing my story. I am on a mission to keep this heartbeat alive.Thank you for your support.Keep Tashawna's Heartbeat Strong
March 7, 2025
Hello everyone. I would like to start by saying that thank you for everything that you have done and that you are still doing to help me. Everything counts. Right now I still have body pain and still have devices, still be going to treatments. Right now I am in need of keeping up with the medical issues such as health insurance along with my medications. In order to even have one medication fill cost me out of pocket $500.00 each month. So, with your help of donations will go a long way. Please do not stop helping. Please keep me and my family in your prayers each and every day. Please DONATE DONATE to help me stay a live each day. Thank you
