Patrick Daugherty

Once you meet Patrick you are guaranteed to feel God’s love. He has a deep Father’s heart and love for life.

You’ll often find him joking and trying to make others feel comfortable and at ease. His smile and love for life are contagious! As a 53 year old dad, husband, avid bodybuilder, health conscience and truth seeker he is always looking for ways to improve his health and keep his mind, body and spirit as healthy as possible.

Patrick’s not one to complain or bring others down, but in late December 2023 he started not feeling well and found himself resting more than participating in our family activities. He gained over 30 lbs of water weight and decided to go to the hospital in January for what we thought were digestive issues that actually revealed he had an Atrial Filiation (Afib heart). When the cardiologist proceeded to shock his heart they found a blood clot and was not able to proceed as he would have died due to the blood clot. After returning home his health continued to worsen. He was sent home on blood thinners awaiting his next appointment three weeks later, where they would hopefully shock his heart. After speaking to the doctors several times he was not advised to go back to the hospital.

So we waited…. Until he had several long days of coughing and gasping for breaths we returned to the hospital. We learned quickly that all of his organs had begun to shut down. He was transported to Harrisburg where he was treated. After 11 days in Harrisburg his heart continued to weaken. They quickly knew he had to be transported to a larger, more hands-on facility to take care of him. Before being transported to Pittsburgh, he was placed on 2 machines to keep him alive. Shortly after he arrived in Pittsburgh we learned that heart transplant was the only way for him to survive.

As his health continues to improve we have learned his heart is too weak for full recovery. Even though he is young he can think back to the last 10 years where he’s felt his heart beat differently through the years not knowing truly what it was at the time. He now awaits for his organs to continue to heal and then to receive his heart transplant.

Funds raised will go towards medical expenses, ongoing travel from the Lancaster to Pittsburgh, required medications, short and long term lodging and meals due to required relocation for several months post-transplant, caretakers post-transplant and other necessary requirements through the transplant. Our hope is to have our family together at different times as we’re able to during this season.

Patrick’s hospital and post – transplant could be up to five month from the initial hospital stay. As this is a long time to be away from your home, family and everyday life we are grateful to have “Big Daddy” and know his positive, encouraging mindset, big heart and love for Jesus will keep him strong and encourage us through this season. While being away from our children is hard, we are so grateful for full recovery!

Patrick and I are confident in the promise that no matter how long the journey, all things will work together for good. Thank you for being a part with prayer, support, one on one calls and loving on our family! Our God is Great and SO GOOD!