Gary Cooper

My Testament below:

March 3rd is a day that doesn’t happen without God’s will. Lets go back to the beginning of 2025 when I was newly married and life was finally pointing in the right direction. Then I got sick and sicker and sicker. By that Summer I knew something was wrong, but I put my health on the sideline. “You may delay, but time will not”. And my time came January 9th 2026. After a procedure to check my Heart function, my Cardiologist told me on the table “you can’t leave the Hospital”. Tears rolled down my eyes in what can only be described as a feeling of relief and fright. 75 days later, I’m now home. But it wasn’t an easy journey. Let me describe.

I had an allergy to Heparin in my fist few weeks which require Photopheresis (google). Then I had a pump place in my heart to assist with circulation because my heart just kept getting sicker. I got pneumonia on two occasions, got better, but then had a lung infection that got me taken off the donor list. I had a few hurdles to clear to get my gifted Heart. Through all of that, my Family, Friends, Nurses, Doctors and some new Friends were there with me. Although there were days I didn’t believe I would make it. All the pain and suffering was worth getting to this day as I’m writing to you. So now:

The day of the miracle, which actually started the morning of that day with my Nurse. I was having a few bad days mentally. I think they call it Hospital Delirium (That’s actually a thing). But, I told my Nurse, I don’t think I can handle the feelings I was going through at that moment. So my Nurse told me to write down the feelings I was having and also write down why I’m in the hospital (What the heart is going to mean to me). I wrote two columns. The first column had a lot of hate and anger, but the second column had a lot of love and hope for the future. And once I saw the second column had more on the page, I let go of all the pain and told myself it’s all worth it when I get my gifted Heart. And I know, by releasing that pain built up over 53 days in the Hospital. God said I was ready and that early evening of March 2nd I got offered a heart.

What a Journey. I want to thank a lot of people, but above everyone, I want to thank my loving wife who traveled every 2 weeks and left her daughter and life behind to come care for me til this day. I love you Maria. I want to thank my Mom for equally being by my side, I want to thank my sister for her support and coaching through this journey. I want to thank my brothers, Brian and Mikkel and my youngest sister Shanice for all their support. I want to thank my friend Sue (who visited me more times that anyone) and her husband Colin. You both are very special to me and I’m glad I had your friendship and love to get me through the tough times. I also, want to thank my Pastor, Spiritual Teacher, Librarian, Kim Roberts. who was there when my Doctor walked in and told me I got offered a heart. God, sent you that day for a reason, to comfort me with understanding and prayers. And of course all the Doctors and Nurses who had to deal with my ups and downs, always caring for me with empathy. And thank you to all my friends (Sean, David and Helen especially) and my new friends I’ve made on this journey including all the friends (Lenny, Andre and Ben) from the Heart Brothers Foundation. I love you all!

My family and friends are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live in my honor, Gary Cooper, to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with a transplant. While I have received my heart, a new journey has begun.

I need your support to help with co-pays for follow up appointments, and test, anti-rejection medicine, insurance doesn’t cover the cost 100%, travel expenses for my wife and so much more. Your support means everything.

I chose to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because donations are tax deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses.

Please consider making a donation and sharing my page on your social media platforms.

Thank you!