In February of 2015, Jesse was admitted to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville where he underwent open heart surgery to have a ventricular assist device implanted into his heart. This device takes over the weakened heart by helping it to pump blood and acts as a bridge that help patients hold out until the heart transplant. Together, Jesse, his family, relative, and friends are committed to seeing him through this transplant.

Heart transplants are costly procedures that involve a great deal of specialized care and time in the hospital. Even with insurance the estimated out of pocket expenses for transplant, co-pays, lab fees, medications and more are extremely expensive. Jesse will also have temporary living expenses to stay near the hospital around the time of transplant, and may have emergency air transport expenses.

To help with Jesse’s financial burden of uninsured expenses, a fundraising campaign in his honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a trusted nonprofit organization that has been providing community-based fundraising guidance to patients and their families for more than 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Southeast Heart Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. Please consider making a contribution.

Thank you for all of your prayers, support and generosity.

Jesse and Delois Jethrow