Kavin Buchanan

In 2020, at just 43 years old, my husband Kavin was diagnosed with heart failure. What followed were years of trying to understand why his heart was failing so young. Through extensive genetic testing, doctors discovered something extraordinarily rare: Kavin carries two separate genetic mutations—LMNA and TTN—that both directly cause progressive heart disease and electrical storms in his heart that could lead to cardiac arrest. Having either mutation is a serious battle; carrying both at the same time is almost unheard of.

For the past six years, Kavin has fought through treatments, medications, and the daily realities of living with a failing heart. Despite doing everything right, his condition has progressed to the point where a new heart is his only option. He is now officially being listed for a heart transplant.

Outside of hospital rooms and cardiology appointments, Kavin is a devoted husband, a dad of two grown children and a pawpaw to the sweetest 3 year old little boy, someone who loves all things cars, going to car shows and is the first person to show up when someone else needs a hand. He still has so much life left to live and so many milestones he wants to be here for.

How You Can Help: While health insurance covers a portion of the transplant surgery itself, the out-of-pocket costs surrounding a heart transplant are overwhelming. Even with coverage, our family faces massive uncovered expenses,including:

• Relocation and temporary housing near the transplant center at UAB for surgery and recovery

• Frequent travel, gas, and lodging for specialized appointments and follow-ups.

• Lifelong anti-rejection medications and post-transplant care not fully covered by insurance

• Loss of income while he recovers and while I serve as his full-time caregiver

To help ease this financial burden, we have partnered with Help Hope Live, a trusted nonprofit organization that verifies medical need and ensures every dollar donated goes directly toward uninsured transplant-related expenses.

If you are able to contribute, any amount—no matter how small—brings us one step closer to getting Kavin through this heart transplant and safely home. If you aren’t in a position to give right now, sharing this page with your network and keeping him in your prayers means the world to us.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for standing with us in this fight.