On March 11, 2026, our lives changed in a way we never could have prepared for.
What started as a routine doctor’s appointment before a planned move quickly turned into a fight for survival. Jade was experiencing severe fluid buildup, and her body stopped responding to medication. Within hours, she was admitted to the ER, kicking off a terrifying and uncertain journey.
Doctors discovered severe complications affecting her heart, including a valve failing due to long-term pacemaker leads. Jade has bravely navigated heart challenges since she was 13, battling a genetic disease that tragically took her mother’s life at a young age. Now, at 28, Jade was facing that same reality. During one terrifying night, her implanted defibrillator saved her life while she slept. Waking up to the sound of that internal alarm showed us exactly how close we were to losing her.
Doctors gave us the news we weren’t ready to hear: Jade needed a heart transplant to survive.
We immediately pivoted. Within days, Jade was airlifted to Michigan to receive specialized, advanced care, giving her the best possible chance at survival.
Today, we are incredibly grateful to share that Jade has received a life-saving heart transplant. It is nothing short of a miracle, and we thank God, the medical teams, and everyone who has prayed for us along the way.
But this miracle is just the beginning of a long road ahead.
A transplant requires a complete lifestyle reconstruction. Jade is now in a critical recovery phase where she must live in an entirely clean, stable, and carefully managed environment to protect her new heart and compromised immune system. To ensure her safety, I have taken on the role of her full-time caregiver, which means I am temporarily unable to work.
Between the sudden, emergency relocation to Michigan and the ongoing medical crisis, we have exhausted our savings. We are starting over, doing everything in our power to build a safe home base while managing the immense costs of post-transplant care.
If you know Jade, you know she refuses to let this define her. She is kind, loving, and fiercely full of life. She wants to ride horses in the desert, see the Great Wall of China, and live the long, full life her mother was denied. We intend to make the most of the time we have been given.
We are partnering with Help Hope Live to raise funds for:
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Safe Housing & Relocation: Securing a clean, stable environment in Michigan for her recovery.
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Out-of-Pocket Medical Costs: Co-pays, specialist visits, and the lifelong immunosuppressant medications necessary to keep her new heart healthy.
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Caregiver & Living Support: Assisting with daily survival while I remain her full-time, 24/7 caregiver.
We are people of faith, and this journey has shown us the incredible power of compassion, community, and resilience. We fully intend for this to be temporary, and we are committed to rebuilding, working hard, and giving back when we are able.
Every bit of help—whether through a donation, sharing our story, or keeping Jade in your prayers—makes a vital difference. Thank you for reading, and for being part of our new beginning.
With deep gratitude, Olson Jake & Jade Stark
