Hope for a new heart: Kara's heart transplant journey

Dear Friends, Family, and Kindhearted Strangers,

We are writing to you on behalf of Kara's family. Kara Torrez is a 39-year-old mother of two who has bravely faced a rare and complex congenital heart condition, Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA), since birth. According to doctors, her only hope for survival is a heart transplant.

Kara’s journey is one of resilience. At 22, doctors told her that her heart was too weak for pregnancy and that she would eventually need a transplant. Yet, by God’s grace, she defied the odds, welcoming two children into the world with virtually no complications. However, eight months after her son was born, Kara collapsed at a salon and was diagnosed with severe arrhythmias, leading to heart surgery. For years (and until now), she managed to balance motherhood, a full-time real estate business (with her mother and business partner), homeschool both of her children, and remain stable, but 4 1/2 years ago, she entered heart failure. Despite trial medication slowing the decline, Kara now struggles daily with shortness of breath, dizziness, dangerously low blood pressure, drops in oxygen, and extreme fatigue. Daily tasks are getting increasingly difficult for her. Diagnosed with advanced end-stage heart failure in September, she is preparing for a heart transplant evaluation at UCLA—a critical and hopeful step in January 2025.

This journey is physically, emotionally, and financially overwhelming, and to qualify for this gift, she needs to prove she and her family, can mentally, physically, and financially meet the requirements necessary. As her family, we are committed to supporting her every step of the way, and we need your help to relieve the unfathomable financial strain on them during this daunting time:

Our Total Fundraising Goals: $155,000

This amount will help cover the essential costs of Kara’s heart transplant journey across four critical phases:

1. Initial Evaluation – $15,000

A week-long hospital stay at UCLA for extensive testing and procedures to determine Kara’s eligibility for the transplant list. Your donations will cover medical expenses she has incured the last few months for procedures and tests, travel, childcare so her husband can take time to be with her at the hospital, and medical expenses incurred during her hospital stay for the evaluation.

2. Waiting for a Donor Heart – $50,000

If approved, Kara will face a minimum of 3–6 month hospital stay due to her blood type. She will be 135 miles from home, separated from her family; her husband, and 2 children (9-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son). These funds will assist with:

o Frequent travel and lodging for her husband and children to visit (children are not able to spend the night in the hospital room and hotels are a minimum of $200/night in the Los Angeles area)

o Childcare services to support her husband as he balances work and caregivers continue to homeschool their children.

o Maintaining the family’s primary household in San Diego while Kara is unable to work while in the hospital, waiting for a new heart.

3. Transplant Surgery and Recovery – $40,000

After surgery, Kara will need to live near UCLA for three months for close monitoring. This phase includes:

o Temporary housing costs in Los Angeles/close to UCLA.

o 24/7 care from two caregivers or family caregivers (who will lose income during this time and need to help in Kara's recovery).

o Medical expenses for extensive medications, weekly follow-ups, and rehabilitation.

4. First Year of Recovery – $50,000

The first year post-transplant is critical for survival and preventing organ rejection. Kara will be unable to work during this period, and funds will help:

o Medical expenses for medications, frequent travel expenses for close monitoring, follow-ups, and rehabilitation from San Diego to Los Angeles.

o Maintain the family’s household expenses while Kara is unable to work for the first year of recovery.

o Cover ongoing medical care and support her children’s basic needs.

How You Can Help

• Donate – Every contribution, big or small, helps ease the financial burden on Kara and her family.

• Share – Spread Kara’s story to help us reach others who may want to help.

• Temporary Housing – If you know someone in the Los Angeles/Orange County area who can help with temporary housing, please share her story.

• Pray – Your prayers for strength, healing, and courage mean the world to us and are the most valuable gift currently.

Kara’s unwavering faith has carried her through many challenges, and we trust in God’s plan for her future. Your kindness, generosity, and support will make a life-changing difference.

From the depths of our hearts, thank you for standing with us during this critical time. Its going to take a village, but we know God will carry us through this.

With love and gratitude,

Kara's family