Huggy Bear's LVAD Emergency Fundraiser

Toni and Lloyd are a wonderful, generous and loving couple who have been creating a beautiful family for nearly two decades. Today, they stand together to tell their story of a battle to fight for Lloyd's life as he faces extreme medical complications. This fund has been created to help raise the substantial amount of money they will need to help them get through this incredibly tough time. The financial hardship necessary to keep Lloyd with us is beyond what anyoen could have imagined. Every penny will count, and your donations go a long way toward helping with all of the unexpected expenses insurance will not cover.

Lloyd's medical journey has morphed from viral cardiomyopathy into congestive heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. He has recently been treated for a kidney tumor and is currently in end-stage heart failure. The only option at this point is to have an LVAD inserted to help keep his heart pumping; he's scheduled to have surgery to do just that in mid-September. He'll be in the cardiac ICU for approximately ten days, with an expected hospitalization of 4-6 weeks, followed by home recovery of approximately 3 months. These estimates are based on a smooth procedure without any complications.

Despite having Medicare and secondary insurance, the costs for these life saving procedures are astronomically high and the out-of-pocket expenses for his ongoing care are quickly multiplying. Toni is finding it necessary to take days, and sometimes weeks, off from work to ensure he has the care he needs, causing significant losses in their household income. They have faced his illness head on, determined to get him to the other side of this dibilitating illness, and have never turned away anyone in need of help. This includes opening their home and hearts to over 20 homeless teens in the past 15 years, providing food, shelter, love and guidance to these young folks. Anyone who has every met them knows they don't see anyone as a stranger. Their love for each other, their positive attitudes and humor, as well as their community of friends and family, provide them strength when the struggle gets overwhelming.

This is an extremely serious situation, and we are asking for donations to assist them. This challenge is a marathon, not a sprint, and they will need all the support and prayers available to keep them going. Thank you for taking the time to read their story and for any support you wish to contribute. No amount is too small, and every dime is greatly appreciated. Please share this page; this is going to take everyone in the proverbial Village.

THANK YOU!