A Heart for Matt Irey

Hi, my name is Amanda Huie. Some of you might know me from raving with Buzzlife in Washington DC. 8 years ago I had a daughter, Sophie, with Matthew Irey.

Most people know Matt from his 15 years working in dc nightclubs. Most notably Nation & Town. He was always there, ready to help ensure a good time was had by all. Well, now he needs your help.

In September of 2020, Matt was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. He's been fighting to survive ever since.

Now the disease has progressed to critical end-stage congestive heart failure with a prognosis of weeks to 3 months life expectancy. But there is hope! He is currently first in line at Washington Hospital Center for a heart of his blood type! He just needs to stay alive till there is a heart for him.

Which is what brings me here. He needs open heart surgery. The type of surgery is called "Left Ventricular Assisted Device or LVAD", which will help pump blood out of the heart to the body. This device will keep him alive while he waits for a HEART TRANSPLANT.

Right now, his options are surgery or hospice (death.)

Before and after surgery, he will require 24/7 care. After the transplant, in which every single one of his ribs will be broken, he will need extensive rehab to be able to function at all. On paper it might sound fun, but the 3 weeks of continuous morphine he will be on, and 6 weeks of immobility will leave him unable to walk or do the most basic things. He gets his life back and he will have to relearn how to actually live. The expenses of surgery and after-surgery expenses are literally insane. Plus he will continue to be, as he has been for quite a while, unable to assist in supporting his daughter.

You never think you'll be the one writing one of these gofundme's and asking your friends, family and strangers for help. Over the last 2+ years of this medical struggle I considered it and opted to not more times than I can count. But this is more than we can handle and we truly need the help.

Tis the season when so many of us struggle to give our families the Christmas's we had or imagine we had as kids. I understand how tight budgets are, especially now. But any amount you can give helps and we would be so greatful for. And/or if you are willing to be a minor spammer, and would be so kind as to pass this page on to your family and friends we just might be able to rally a miracle out of the omnipotent Internet.