Support Ruben's Heart Surgery Journey

My nephew, Ruben, is the bravest little heart warrior I know.

Here’s his journey so far:

At Abbie’s 20-week anatomy scan, her life was forever changed. Her OB shared devastating news—something was seriously wrong with baby #2’s heart. Abbie and her husband were referred to a high-risk pregnancy specialist, and that’s when they received the terrifying diagnosis: HLHS. The doctor prepared them for the worst, warning that Ruben would face a lifetime of intensive care and might not live beyond the age of 12. They had to wait four agonizing weeks before meeting with a cardiologist to understand the full picture.

When they finally met the specialist, the diagnosis shifted to coarctation of the aorta with VSD and ASD (holes in the heart). A specialized delivery plan was put into place, and Abbie attended weekly appointments to monitor her baby.

On July 22nd, Ruben Kenneth was born. Abbie had only 10 precious minutes with her newborn before he was rushed to the NICU. Three days later, he was moved to the cardiac ICU, and at just four days old, Ruben underwent his first heart surgery to repair the kink in his aorta and restore proper blood flow. The next three and a half weeks in the hospital were spent helping him recover.

Since then, Ruben has faced many challenges, including a feeding tube and a blood clot. He will soon need another major heart surgery to repair his ASD and VSD, involving an open chest procedure.

Despite everything, Ruben is thriving in his own incredible way, but his little body remains in fight-or-flight mode. What was once planned as a July 2025 surgery will now be happening before this Christmas. Abbie will take more time off work to care for Ruben after this next open-heart surgery.

From medical bills and lost income to the emotional strain of caring for a child through major surgeries—all while raising Ruben’s big brother, Colton—our family is grateful for any help. Your kindness can ease this burden, letting them focus on what matters most: supporting Ruben as he fights with all his heart. Every contribution, big or small, means the world to us.

Thank you for your love, support, and belief in #RubenStrong.