Todd Clark's Heart Surgery Fund
Donation protected
Preface -
Hello Friends! As most of you know Todd is about to have his third Open Heart Surgery next Monday, October 5th! His Health Insurance doesn't cover many of the expenses given how extensive his surgery is and the level of expertise it requires. Some of his expenses are part of his in-network health insurance benefits; however, some of his providers are out-of-network. He's already stressing out over his current bills and hasn't even had his surgery yet! His best friend, Brieanna, and I wanted to do something to help, so we started this fundraiser to help offset the medical bills and loss of income. It's heart-breaking and awful to watch anyone, let alone a friend, undergo invasive and intense medical procedures. The last thing Todd needs is extra stress struggling to pay the bills during his recovery.
About Todd Clark
43-year-old Todd Clark is a Colorado Native from Thornton Colorado. Todd is a graduate of Horizon High School. He has a twin brother, 3 more brothers and a sister.
Todd also has three amazing children! He is a father to two beautiful girls, Kelci, 21, who lives in California, Kaytlyn, a Junior in High School, and his son Kyler, a Freshman in High School.
(Daughter Kelci)
(Daughter Kaytlyn and Todd)
(Todd and son Kyler)
(Daughter Kaytlyn before her Junior Homecoming)
Friends describe Todd as friendly, sweet, loyal, reliable, funny, genuine, giving, creative, fun and a proud father just to name a few of his many attributes.
By day Todd loves his job as a Physical Therapist Front Desk Coordinator in Denver; however, most of his friends and family know him for his other passion, professional photography! In addition to his full-time job, Todd is a professional self-taught photographer for several clients including 5280 Magazine and the The Denver Outlaws Dance Team. Todd started working with the The Denver Outlaws Dance Team nine years ago initially as a photographer. He met his best friend, Brieanna Daddio-Mercer, now Director of The Denver Outlaws Dance Team and a former Denver Broncos Cheerleader, during his second season with the Outlaws. Because of his dedication and passion, Brieanna asked Todd to become her Assistant Director shortly after. He also owns a professional photography business, Todd Clark Photography.
(Todd and Best Friend, Brieanna)
Todd has a big heart and is always eager to donate his time and expertise to numerous charities including the American Heart Association, an association that is understandably close to his heart! Everyone who knows him, knows how dedicated he is with both his charity and professional work.
Todd's Story
Todd's first surgery was called a Ross Procedure. "It is where they get rid of the aortic valve, which is bicuspid, and replace it with your own pulmonary valve. Then they take a homograft (donor ) valve and put that in place of where your pulmonary valve was."
Three years later, Todd had to undergo his second Open Heart surgery at the age of 27. The aortic valve from the first surgery wore out too quickly and his surgeon had to replace it with an artificial heart valve. After the surgery, he had to start taking coumadin (a blood thinner) every day for the rest of his life. He made it through the next 13 years with few problems.
Then, three years ago Todd had a heart attack. "A blood clot formed and attached itself to my artificial valve and then went down into my left bundle branch of my heart." Thankfully, he made it through the scare and recovered.
Todd's upcoming surgery
Unfortunately, Todd's third Open Heart Surgery is right around the corner on October 5th. Just a week away. His physician from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center discovered an aneurysm on his aortic arch when Todd was 38 years old. At the time the aneurysm was only 2.5 cm. When he turned 40, the aneurysm had grown to 5.5 cm. Since then, the aneurysm on his aortic arch has gone from 5.5cm to 5.6 cm. This condition is called a Fusiform Aneurysm, a sac formed by the localized dilatation of the wall of an artery, a vein, or the heart . The aneurysm is surrounded by scar tissue, but is extremely dangerous given its location and its increased chance of rupturing. If it did rupture, his chance of survival would be less than 10%. His surgeon wanted him to schedule surgery asap!
During surgery, his physician will replace his pulmonary valve, replace his aortic arch (where the aneurysm is located) and replace the aortic valve again. Todd's surgeon is an internationally renowned cardiothoracic specialist at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
To prepare for the surgery, Todd had to go through a series of tests, including an MRI and echocardiogram. He had to pick up expensive injections that he has to give himself five days before his surgery so that he can stop taking his coumadin. He also has a few more pre-operative appointments scheduled before his surgery.
The surgery itself will take at least 6-8 hours, possibly longer. The hospital has set aside the whole day for the operating room just in case they need the extra time. After his surgery, Todd will spend a week at the hospital and then it will take at least two months to recover. He is allowed to go back to work halfway through his recovery as long as he has a desk job that doesn't require any heavy lifting. Todd loves his job, but he's only been working there for 9 months. His employer has been very supportive and Todd looks forward to returning to work asap; however, any time he takes off for his surgery and recovery is non-paid. This means that in addition to the growing medical bills, he will be losing his normal paychecks too.
Todd's story was featured on kdvr in 2013
(this will make it 3-heart-valve-replacement surgeries)
http://kdvr.com/2013/11/04/local-man-tells-story-of-2-heart-valve-replacement-surgeries/
How to help
After recovering from a major surgery, the last thing you want to worry about is all the medical bills that are already rolling in! That's why his friends set up this fundraiser and forum for emotional, spiritual and religious support.
After preparing for Todd's surgery, preoperative procedures, a long surgery and recovery, and the daily struggles that having a congenital heart condition brings into his life.... his family and friends have learned that it takes a special kind of person to be able to give the kind of kindness, love, generosity and support he needs. Especially during this time of the year!
Donations help offset surgical expenses, loss of income during surgery and the long recovery ahead, in addition to everyday expenses. GoFundMe offers us a simple way to set goals and send secure, online donations to help make a difference in someone's life! It gives us the opportunity to bring Todd's family and friends together to help him. Thank you in advance for your donations! Even a little goes a long way!
Not everyone has the means to donate; however, please continue to pray and share your positive energy by leaving comments for Todd and his family! Also, please share this page on Facebook, Twitter and email. Thank you so much for your contribution to Todd's health and well being!
Updates to follow! Thank you in Advance for your support and kind words!!!
Hello Friends! As most of you know Todd is about to have his third Open Heart Surgery next Monday, October 5th! His Health Insurance doesn't cover many of the expenses given how extensive his surgery is and the level of expertise it requires. Some of his expenses are part of his in-network health insurance benefits; however, some of his providers are out-of-network. He's already stressing out over his current bills and hasn't even had his surgery yet! His best friend, Brieanna, and I wanted to do something to help, so we started this fundraiser to help offset the medical bills and loss of income. It's heart-breaking and awful to watch anyone, let alone a friend, undergo invasive and intense medical procedures. The last thing Todd needs is extra stress struggling to pay the bills during his recovery.
About Todd Clark
43-year-old Todd Clark is a Colorado Native from Thornton Colorado. Todd is a graduate of Horizon High School. He has a twin brother, 3 more brothers and a sister.
Todd also has three amazing children! He is a father to two beautiful girls, Kelci, 21, who lives in California, Kaytlyn, a Junior in High School, and his son Kyler, a Freshman in High School.
(Daughter Kelci)(Daughter Kaytlyn and Todd)(Todd and son Kyler) (Daughter Kaytlyn before her Junior Homecoming)Friends describe Todd as friendly, sweet, loyal, reliable, funny, genuine, giving, creative, fun and a proud father just to name a few of his many attributes.
By day Todd loves his job as a Physical Therapist Front Desk Coordinator in Denver; however, most of his friends and family know him for his other passion, professional photography! In addition to his full-time job, Todd is a professional self-taught photographer for several clients including 5280 Magazine and the The Denver Outlaws Dance Team. Todd started working with the The Denver Outlaws Dance Team nine years ago initially as a photographer. He met his best friend, Brieanna Daddio-Mercer, now Director of The Denver Outlaws Dance Team and a former Denver Broncos Cheerleader, during his second season with the Outlaws. Because of his dedication and passion, Brieanna asked Todd to become her Assistant Director shortly after. He also owns a professional photography business, Todd Clark Photography.
(Todd and Best Friend, Brieanna)Todd has a big heart and is always eager to donate his time and expertise to numerous charities including the American Heart Association, an association that is understandably close to his heart! Everyone who knows him, knows how dedicated he is with both his charity and professional work.
Todd's Story
Todd's first surgery was called a Ross Procedure. "It is where they get rid of the aortic valve, which is bicuspid, and replace it with your own pulmonary valve. Then they take a homograft (donor ) valve and put that in place of where your pulmonary valve was."
Three years later, Todd had to undergo his second Open Heart surgery at the age of 27. The aortic valve from the first surgery wore out too quickly and his surgeon had to replace it with an artificial heart valve. After the surgery, he had to start taking coumadin (a blood thinner) every day for the rest of his life. He made it through the next 13 years with few problems.
Then, three years ago Todd had a heart attack. "A blood clot formed and attached itself to my artificial valve and then went down into my left bundle branch of my heart." Thankfully, he made it through the scare and recovered.
Todd's upcoming surgery
Unfortunately, Todd's third Open Heart Surgery is right around the corner on October 5th. Just a week away. His physician from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center discovered an aneurysm on his aortic arch when Todd was 38 years old. At the time the aneurysm was only 2.5 cm. When he turned 40, the aneurysm had grown to 5.5 cm. Since then, the aneurysm on his aortic arch has gone from 5.5cm to 5.6 cm. This condition is called a Fusiform Aneurysm, a sac formed by the localized dilatation of the wall of an artery, a vein, or the heart . The aneurysm is surrounded by scar tissue, but is extremely dangerous given its location and its increased chance of rupturing. If it did rupture, his chance of survival would be less than 10%. His surgeon wanted him to schedule surgery asap!
During surgery, his physician will replace his pulmonary valve, replace his aortic arch (where the aneurysm is located) and replace the aortic valve again. Todd's surgeon is an internationally renowned cardiothoracic specialist at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
To prepare for the surgery, Todd had to go through a series of tests, including an MRI and echocardiogram. He had to pick up expensive injections that he has to give himself five days before his surgery so that he can stop taking his coumadin. He also has a few more pre-operative appointments scheduled before his surgery.
The surgery itself will take at least 6-8 hours, possibly longer. The hospital has set aside the whole day for the operating room just in case they need the extra time. After his surgery, Todd will spend a week at the hospital and then it will take at least two months to recover. He is allowed to go back to work halfway through his recovery as long as he has a desk job that doesn't require any heavy lifting. Todd loves his job, but he's only been working there for 9 months. His employer has been very supportive and Todd looks forward to returning to work asap; however, any time he takes off for his surgery and recovery is non-paid. This means that in addition to the growing medical bills, he will be losing his normal paychecks too.
Todd's story was featured on kdvr in 2013
(this will make it 3-heart-valve-replacement surgeries)
http://kdvr.com/2013/11/04/local-man-tells-story-of-2-heart-valve-replacement-surgeries/
How to help
After recovering from a major surgery, the last thing you want to worry about is all the medical bills that are already rolling in! That's why his friends set up this fundraiser and forum for emotional, spiritual and religious support.
After preparing for Todd's surgery, preoperative procedures, a long surgery and recovery, and the daily struggles that having a congenital heart condition brings into his life.... his family and friends have learned that it takes a special kind of person to be able to give the kind of kindness, love, generosity and support he needs. Especially during this time of the year!
Donations help offset surgical expenses, loss of income during surgery and the long recovery ahead, in addition to everyday expenses. GoFundMe offers us a simple way to set goals and send secure, online donations to help make a difference in someone's life! It gives us the opportunity to bring Todd's family and friends together to help him. Thank you in advance for your donations! Even a little goes a long way!
Not everyone has the means to donate; however, please continue to pray and share your positive energy by leaving comments for Todd and his family! Also, please share this page on Facebook, Twitter and email. Thank you so much for your contribution to Todd's health and well being!
Updates to follow! Thank you in Advance for your support and kind words!!!
Organizer and beneficiary
Tiffany Ann Cottle
Organizer
Morrison, CO
Todd Clark
Beneficiary