Jon Toy

Dear Family and Friends,

As many of you know, our son Jon was born with a congenital heart defect called Transposition of the Great Arteries and had corrective open-heart surgery at four and a half months old. He had been followed closely throughout the years, and eventually, at the age of 13, needed a pacemaker implanted to control an irregular rhythm as a result of the worsening of his heart condition. By the time Jon was 16, it was determined that the only treatment for his failing heart was a heart transplant, which he bravely underwent in November 1997, on my birthday- what a wonderful gift!

With renewed energy and health, Jon had been able to enjoy a normal, productive life shortly after the transplant, and was able to work in the community at a local grocery store. He had been a dedicated employee since then and truly enjoyed his position in retail grocery, but is now unable to continue as his health suffers, due to a weakening heart.

Now, Jon’s condition has worsened to the point that his doctors at the University of Pennsylvania have determined that his only chance of survival is a second heart transplant. Jon anxiously looks forward to receiving the transplant, recovering and returning to his job.

Transplantation is life-saving, but it is also extremely expensive. Even with insurance, Jon will have numerous out-of-pocket costs related to the procedure and his recovery process, including co-pays and deductibles, doctor visits, travel to and from the transplant center, and the costly immunosuppressant medications he will have to take for the rest of his life. He cannot meet this challenge without help.

In order to ease the financial burden, a fundraising campaign in Jon’s honor has been established with HelpHOPELive (formerly NTAF), a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for nearly 30 years. All donations are tax deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Mid-Atlantic Heart Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. If you wish to help Jon, then please consider making a contribution.
Jon’s sister, Jacqui, his Dad, Rick, and I, as well as all of his family and friends are so proud of his courage and determination and we hope you join us in any way you can in supporting him as he faces yet another difficult challenge in his life.

We sincerely appreciate your kindness and generosity.

With gratitude,
Terese Toy