Supporting Daniel and Nicole after emergency heart surgery!

UPDATE: We have surpassed our goal in under twelve hours!! Thank you all so much for your support. We’ve increased our goal to help cover more for Nicole and Daniel so please continue to share this fundraiser!

Hi, my name is Kelly and I have the immense privilege of being friends with Daniel Matyas and Nicole Clark.

In January, after becoming unresponsive and contending with intense chest pains, Daniel was rushed to the ER and almost died; he and his fiancee Nicole's lives changed overnight. Since then, Daniel has been severely disabled while trying to treat a new, rare condition: chronic pericarditis. On top of the emotional toll, the financial burden has been difficult. Your contributions would help the two of them afford a portable powered wheelchair, monthly insurance payments, and travel to see a specialist at Cleveland Clinic.

In January, ER doctors found a liter of fluid around Daniel's heart and had to perform emergency heart surgery, saving his life. He stayed in the hospital for a week. Unfortunately he was rehospitalized twice over the next month as doctors struggled to understand what was wrong. He's had numerous flare ups since being home and his recovery has been slow and frustrating.

Daniel and Nicole got a virtual second opinion at the Cleveland Clinic, one of the world's leading cardiovascular research and medical institutions, and a doctor agreed to see him in person. Daniel was finally given a cardiac MRI, and he was diagnosed with severe chronic pericarditis; without treatment, he is at high risk of additional, life-threatening complications.

Daniel is currently disabled — he has to keep his heart rate under 100bpm, or risk heart damage. Thankfully, there is a new medication for his condition that should allow him to recover. Given the strenuous nature of both the surgeries and his recovery process, Daniel is on leave from work. Nicole has also taken leave from work to be Daniel's primary caregiver.

Your contributions will be so vital to help cover:

Any amount would be helpful and deeply appreciated. Thank you for reading <3