A New Heart for Hunter!

Hi, we are Toni and Sean. We are fundraising for our nephew, Hunter Javin. Hunter was born with a defective heart. In fact, he truly only had one chamber in his heart that worked at full capacity when he was born. To further complicate things, he was born without a spleen and his organs are placed on the opposite sides of where typical human anatomy would have them. At the time the medical wisdom was that without a spleen he would never be eligible for a heart transplant. So the plan was to keep him on medication and hope for the best. He truly was a miracle baby. (He was also the first grandchild for Terri and Joseph Javin!)

 

He had four open heart surgeries by the time he was 4 years old. Many people never knew he had such a medical condition because he appears so healthy and lives such a normal life. He graduated from high school with honors during the pandemic. After high school he worked hard and was enjoying an apprenticeship as an electrician. He worked side by side with his dad. He enjoys motocross, racing snowmobiles and dune buggies. He loves life and he is making sure he is enjoying every moment he can!

 

In the last two months, however, his medical condition has caught up with him. His medicine has become less effective and as a result he felt what can only be described as "heart failure". As a result, he had to be air lifted twice to U of M Hospital. He is only 20 years old. His parents have taken time from work and stayed with him during his stay at the hospital. It has taken a toll on them emotionally and financially.

 

For the past 15 years Hunter’s heart has been working four times as hard as any normal person, making his heart comparable to an 80 year old, living in a 20 year olds body. His heart is very tired and is not repairable with any type of surgery. However, the advancements in medical technology and medical know-how have now determined that him not having a spleen is actually a good thing for a heart transplant. Typically the spleen fights off infections and foreigners inside your body. Well, Hunter not having a spleen allows better odds of his body accepting a new heart. Further, he is in great shape. These factors as well as many others have made it possible for Hunter to be placed on the Heart Transplant List. As scary as it is, it is exciting and great news.

 

Now comes the ask. The emotional part will come at a tremendous cost. But this family and surrounding friends are ready for it! We are ready for the fight for his life. We will stand in there and be there for him all the way through this in whatever way we need to make sure he is safe and comfortable. And even though we will do what we can financially, that part is where the family could really use more help. Hunter and his parents will be facing tremendous medical bills, hotel bills, and additional food cost. Additionally, there may be moving cost. Hunter has to live near the hospital to be ready as they never know when a heart could suddenly be ready for him. All of this also means that Hunter will not be able to work before any transplant and certainly not during recovery. Whether or not he can work after that remains to be seen.

 

We are starting this gofundme page to help in this time of need. Also, some great friends of the Javin's are setting up a benefit dinner and a silent auction on April 9th in Traverse City to help offset some of this cost. If you're in the area please stop in and grab a bite to eat and do what you can.

 

 

You are actually buying someone a heart! He is such a great person. It is unfair that such a great person has to go through this, but he is strong and his family and friends are here for him. So Please contribute whatever you can afford to. Contact me if you need any further information or check him out on facebook, Hunter Javin. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

God Bless! Buddha Bless! Universe Bless!

Hugs & Kisses,

Toni & Sean