Outpouring of Support for 20-Year-Old with a New Heart

Emily Progin, PR and Communications Coordinator

eprogin@helphopelive.org / 800.642.8399

Release: Immediate

OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT FOR 20-YEAR-OLD WITH A NEW HEART

Joey Received a Heart Transplant in January – Campaign Has Raised $77k to Assist

ROHNERT PARK, Calif.—On January 13, 2023, Joey Codoni and his family celebrated the gift of a second chance at life as the 20-year-old received a successful heart transplant. Born with half a heart, Joey can now look forward to a happier and healthier future thanks to a selfless gift from an organ donor. Loved ones have partnered with the national nonprofit Help Hope Live on a medical fundraising campaign to assist with the high out-of-pocket expenses associated with Joey’s transplant recovery—and thanks to the community’s generosity, they have already surpassed $77,000 raised.

This month, Joey was discharged from UCSF Parnassus to inpatient rehabilitation center California Pacific Medical Center – Sutter. Since March 11, he has been receiving occupational, physical, and speech therapies from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day. Parents say he’s eating and sleeping well at the new facility. Joey is on track to move to a housing facility for transplant patients near UCSF where he will remain for an additional six weeks of recovery. After that, Joey should be medically cleared to return home.

Joey has experienced more medical interventions, hospitalizations, and emergencies in his 20 years than most people will in a lifetime. His medical challenges started at his first seconds of life: emergency medical care and his first open-heart surgery when he was just four days old. Those interventions and hospitalizations continued throughout his childhood.

This heart is life-changing for Joey, providing a new source of hope for his future to engage in simple goals like joining a basketball team, going for a hike, or riding his bike. A true people-person, Joey says that in the future, he would love to find work in the service industry or anywhere he can make an impact on people’s lives.

Joey’s family was told to anticipate $50,000 to $100,000 in transplant expenses that insurance would not cover. That’s why they turned to the trusted medical fundraising nonprofit Help Hope Live. Thanks to an outpouring of support from the community, they have already raised over $77,000 towards Joey’s transplant-related costs.

Donations can be made at: https://helphopelive.org/campaign/21021/

Unlike a GoFundMe campaign, donations to Help Hope Live 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 $172 million to pay patient expenses.

###