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Jensen Perry’s Warrior Fund

Once you meet Jensen Perry, you'll never forget his wide, friendly smile. His bright eyes. The bounce in his walk when he's wearing his cowboy boots. Right now he's stepping through the biggest challenge of his life and he could use your help.

It all started with a cough. Then there was a fever. Chills. Sweats. Not eating. A doctor's visit on June 21st found nothing inherently wrong but Jensen was sent for blood work and an x-ray. The next day his pediatrician noted his heart seemed enlarged but said, "I don't think it's anything to worry about."

His parents, Jen and Tim, trusted their instincts. They knew something wasn't right. After watching Jensen struggle through another day, Jen took him to the ER. Doctors wanted to send him home. Jensen is a happy-go-lucky kid, but he's tough and doesn't complain, even when he's in pain. But Jen wouldn't budge. She watched his pulse beating out of his neck and told the docs Jensen had been complaining of chest pains. She knew.

One EKG later and Jensen was loaded into a LifeLion helicopter bound for Hershey Medical Center's PICU. Even with less than 10% of his heart functioning, Jensen was smiling because he was getting a ride in a helicopter. His biggest concern in that moment was whether the TV in his hospital room would work.

If only things could be that simple. Turns out, Jensen was in heart failure - his parents had no idea he had any heart issues, despite tests in the past. Jen will never forget a doctor in Hershey telling her, "If Jensen goes into cardiac arrest, I will not be able to get him back." This was her baby. And a doctor was telling her something was threatening to take her boy for good. 

Less than 15 hours after taking Jensen to the ER for what they thought was a cold, doctors were cracking open his chest, placing tubes in his body to act as his heart and installing a ventilator to breathe for him. What was first thought to be an infection of the heart was later determined to be atrial ectopic tachycardia.  

Jensen has spent weeks on ECMO, a machine that worked to get his heart into a natural rhythm. He's now off the machine and taking three different medications to control his heart while it continues to heal. He had been sedated until just a few days ago, and is now on medicine to help with his pain and keep him calm. Every day brings new challenges. But Jensen, who has a mild intellectual disability, is a fighter and he continues to battle against the odds.

There are side effects. Jensen has severe edema and his kidneys aren't functioning well. Dialysis may be in his future. Physical therapy. Occupational therapy. And heart surgery. He remains on a ventilator because of the fluid in his lungs - and he recently contracted a staph infection which means it will likely be awhile before he can come off that machine.  Jensen has also suffered from extreme atrophy. 

At this point the Perry's don't know what, if any, permanent damage has been done. They won't know how their previously vibrant, positive 15-year-old boy will be until he is off the ventilator and his kidneys begin to recover. But they believe his fighting spirit will continue to carry him through.

In the meantime, medical bills are piling up. The Perry's are putting countless miles on their car as they split shifts - trading spots at home and in Hershey, watching over their boy in the battle of his life, while trying to keep things normal for their other son, Tanner. 

The Perry's are some of the most generous, dedicated and caring people in our small community. Their friends and family have rallied around them in love, prayer and support. There's been food dropped off. Gift cards. Fundraisers. Countless hugs and texts. The Perry's appreciate it all. But we know they need more. Now and in the future. There's a long road ahead. And as Jensen fights for his heart, we hope you'll find it in yours to make a donation to help them in this battle they never saw coming. 

#JensenIsAWarrior #JensenStrong

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Spenden 

  • Andrew Stewart
    • $100 
    • 6 yrs
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Organisator und Spendenbegünstigter

Joce Sterman
Organisator
Shrewsbury, PA
Jen Perry
Spendenbegünstigte

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