HELP BOBBY: A BRAVE HEART NEEDS OUR SUPPORT

Help Bobby Mitchell: A Brave Heart Needs Our Support!

Every donation will help Bobby with Medical needs and provide the best place possible for Bobby to rest, heal and thrive!

His family of 8 is living in a small duplex that is not handicap accessible nor large enough for their family's needs including all of Bobby's oxygen tanks and medical equipment.

Their story: Over the past 2 years, five-year-old Bobby has faced a life-altering battle with heart issues, spending over 660 days in the hospital and undergoing five open-heart surgeries, a heart transplant a kidney transplant, and much more. Now, he is home with a new heart and kidney - but his family needs our help.

After many months in the hospital and in answer to countless prayers Bobby's miracle finally came. An unknown donor's family selflessly donated their child's organs providing Bobby with a new heart and soon after, his uncle Sam donated his kidney.

Bobby, now after spending nearly two years of his young life at the hospital, walked out of Primary Children's with hugs and tears from doctors and staff. These wonderful caregivers all grew to love and cherish this little boy. Throughout all of it, mounting medical and family expenses were placed on the back burner to focus on Bobby's miracle. His father has been working hard to support the family even with these added expenses. His mother is unable to work due to Bobby's intensive care. With housing prices the way they are, getting into an accessible home that meets their needs has proved too difficult. This is where we can make a difference.

We’re launching this GoFundMe campaign to support the Mitchell family as they navigate this tough time. A generous anonymous donor is willing to MATCH dollar for dollar up to $25,000.00 for every dollar raised on GoFundMe.

Please join us in helping Bobby and his family. Your kindness can make a real difference in their lives!

Donors wishing to make a Larger donation through a 501(c)3 charity, and receive a tax receipt for their contribution, can do so through Operation Kids (a Utah charity). 100% of your donation will go straight to Bobby's family through this charity. Please contact

Kristie Hampton at [phone redacted] for more information.

Read on to hear the whole journey:

Over 660 days at the hospital

Five open heart surgeries and 13 heart catheterizations

Heart transplant

Kidney Transplant

Hundreds of x-rays and echocardiograms

Countless needle pokes

Emergency, lifesaving procedures

Over a year in the ICU

Over a year of continuous dialysis

Nearly eleven months with a biVAD

Frequent throwing up and pain from medications and body changes.

Meet Job Robert, a five-year-old who has overcome unbelievable obstacles, and has somehow still come out smiling. Job Robert was born in September 2019 with a condition known as HLHS. Essentially born with half a heart, Job Robert underwent his first open heart surgery at just five days, his second at four months, and his third at three years old.

The family entered the hospital for his third open heart surgery, on November 15, 2022 with the expectation of being in the hospital for one to two weeks. Unfortunately Job Robert’s little body was not able to tolerate the changes in circulation that occurred with his third open heart surgery, and he was forced to remain inpatient while his family and medical doctors tried to figure out the best path forward. The family listed for heart transplant in February of 2023 and began a long journey of trying to manage his care while waiting for his new heart. In June of 2023 Bobby underwent his fourth open heart surgery to install a Berlin heart which would help pump his blood while he waited for transplant. It was an incredibly traumatic surgery that nearly took his life and left him in critical condition and with permanently damaged kidneys. The family listed for kidney transplant and continued to press forward through months of critical care. Bobby recovered somewhat, but remained in the ICU with many intensive interventions through the next 11 months.

The wait for a heart was very long, and the family faced many trials throughout. Three months into their hospital stay Johnita delivered their fifth baby, Bobby’s little brother Peregrine. The family did their best to manage the difficulties of having a critically ill child in the hospital long term while also caring for their three elementary age children and new baby at home. Colin juggled work and caring for their three older children while Johnita spent most of her days up at the hospital caring for Job Robert, and switching on the weekends. When Job Robert ended up as a long term ICU patient Johnita’s sister Ruby moved across the country to live with them and help with the baby who wasn’t allowed in the ICU. Other trials during this time included a week long stay at Primary Childrens Hospital for the new baby after contracting a rare, antibiotic-resistant mycobacterium that caused recurrent, prolonged fevers, and a cancer scare for Johnita who had to undergo surgery in March of this year to remove a bone tumor.

Finally in April, after nearly 18 months at the hospital Job Robert’s new heart came, and on July 19th his uncle Sam selflessly donated his kidney. Job Robert was finally able to go home for the first time in August after 627 days living in the hospital. He is recovering well from his transplants, but still has many medical needs, including oxygen, enteral feeds, and many medications. The family is required to attend both kidney and heart clinic and go in for labs multiple times a week in addition to weekly appointments for physical and occupational therapy as Job Robert recovers from his long-term hospitalization.

As you can imagine, nearly two years at the hospital takes a huge mental, emotional, and financial toll on a family. The Mitchells have overcome insurmountable odds in getting to the point that they are at, but still have many obstacles to overcome. Your donations will help them recover from and continue with all of the extra expenses as they continue to care for Job Robert and their other children and reestablish their life following their incredibly long hospital stay. We would love to help them get into a new home that meets their needs for space and accessibility.