Community Rallying to Help Caring Local Man Repair His Heart

Emily Progin, PR and Communications Coordinator

eprogin@helphopelive.org / 800.642.8399

Release: Immediate

COMMUNITY RALLYING TO HELP CARING LOCAL MAN REPAIR HIS HEART

“I Want to See My Grandchildren Graduate and Keep Giving Back”

SAN ANTONIO, Texas—For a decade, 52-year-old father and grandfather Michael Simms has been living in Bexar County, attending church, and giving back to his community. He’s also been fighting a grueling medical battle that has culminated in the need for open heart surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm. To help lift the burden of this procedure, his San Antonio community is partnering with the trusted national nonprofit Help Hope Live to fundraise for out-of-pocket medical costs.

Michael’s heart issues first began significantly impacting his health in 2018. He has experienced heart attacks and multiple surgeries, but today, heart disease continues to heavily disrupt his life. “My symptoms impair me from being able to participate in daily activities,” explained Michael. He experiences shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, and other physical issues, plus a mental burden: the diagnosis has led to constant stress and even anxiety attacks.

Despite his challenging diagnosis, the ten-year resident of Bexar County can always be spotted enjoying the services at McCauley Baptist Church. He is a one-man community outreach machine—his diverse causes include homeless intervention, immigration reform, the Christians in Action ministry, local business development support, and much more.

“I spend a lot of time on the phone and on my computer looking for agencies and organizations to connect with,” he said. “It’s also important to me to address political issues and concerns, locally or nationally. I even use Facebook to send out my ideas about community concerns.”

Michael has the opportunity to secure a second chance at life with this heart surgery—but even with insurance, the financial burden is massive. That’s why his loving community has started a fundraising campaign with the trusted nonprofit Help Hope Live.

Donations can be made at: https://helphopelive.org/campaign/20663/

This specialized heart surgery will change everything for Michael—and donations will make that future possible. “It will expand my life and allow me to live it out fully,” he explained. “I can be around to see my grandchildren graduate and be even more productive in the future.”

Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, and all funds raised will be managed by the nonprofit to cover verified medical and related expenses. Help Hope Live verifies medical and financial need for every patient.

Help Hope Live is a national nonprofit that specializes in engaging communities in secure, tax-deductible fundraising campaigns for people who need a transplant or are affected by a catastrophic injury or illness. Since 1983, campaigns organized by Help Hope Live have raised over $165 million to pay patient expenses. ###