Help Adin Thrive After His Heart Transplant

A Heart for Adin: His Journey After His Transplant and the Need for Your Ongoing Support

In a moment, our world was forever changed. My nephew Adin has been battling Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy since he was diagnosed at age 4. Muscular Dystrophy is a genetic disease that causes progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. Adin lost his ability to walk at age 9, leaving him wheelchair-bound.

The heart is a muscle, and this aggressive disease has had a major impact on his heart health. He has been battling acute congestive heart failure with his heart working less than 20%. In September 2024, my sister brought Adin to the doctors due to him not feeling well. The doctor discovered he had strep throat, and a few days later, it developed into pneumonia. He was hospitalized, and soon after, his heart started to decline rapidly. Adin was in the end stage of acute heart failure at the young age of 11 with only months left to live. He was evaluated for a heart transplant and had several tests he had to undergo to make sure he was a good candidate. By the grace of God, he was placed on the heart transplant list in October.

As weeks went on being on the waitlist, his heart started to decline even more. He had to undergo heart surgery to have an Impella device put into his heart to keep his heart pumping. This was the first surgery he ever had, and he did great.

Finally, after months of uncertainty, tests, and waiting, my nephew received the gift of life—his heart. On the evening of Wednesday, November 13th, we received the news that Adin had a donor, and surgery would be taking place on Friday, November 15th.

The day Adin went into surgery, we felt a profound mix of fear and hope. Adin was the second child with his medical condition to have this major surgery at Lurie’s Children’s Hospital of Chicago. The operation was a complete success, and he is on the road to recovery, but the journey is far from over. The challenges now are different, but they are no less daunting.

My sister Melissa has been Adin’s number one support through this long journey and has not left his side once. She is a single mom who is a hard worker, but unfortunately, she has been unable to work, and this has placed a great burden on her and Adin’s journey back home. Adin is going to be staying at the Ronald McDonald House once he is released from the hospital as he recovers from this major surgery. His body must adapt to his new heart, and the risks of complications or rejection are always present.

That’s why we’re reaching out to our community for help. For Adin to come home, my sister desperately needs a handicapped accessible van to transport him back and forth to all his future doctor’s appointments and School safely . This is a marathon, not a sprint, and we’re asking for your continued generosity to help him live a full, healthy life.

How You Can Make a Difference

The ongoing care my nephew needs is critical to ensure the success of his transplant and his long-term health. Your generous donation will directly fund the expenses related to his long-term recovery and medical needs. Here are a few ways you can help:

Donate: Any financial contribution, large or small, will go directly towards Adin’s care and treatment.

Share Adin’s Story: Simply sharing his story with your network can help reach more people.

We are beyond grateful for the love, prayers, and support we’ve received throughout this entire journey. The transplant gave Adin the chance for a new life, and now, with your help, we can ensure he has the care and resources needed to thrive.

Every donation, every share, and every kind word means the world to my sister Melissa and my nephew Adin. I can’t thank you enough for being a part of Adin’s journey and for helping give him a chance at a future filled with health and happiness.

With Deep Gratitude,

Amanda & the Hickey Family.