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Jason Ewen is fighting for his life.

            At birth, he was diagnosed with transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA), and he underwent his first surgery within the first 24 hours of his life. When he was 2, he underwent a corrective surgery, which allowed him to live a relatively normal life until he was in his early 20s. At that time, he began experiencing episodes of atrial fibrillation (AF), due to scar tissue from the corrective surgery. After enduring years of AF, congestive heart failure and medication changes, he went into cardiac arrest in 2006. Jason was resuscitated and rushed to Johns Hopkins Hospital where he underwent a number of procedures. Although a heart transplant was discussed then, he was considered to be otherwise too healthy for a transplant. Now, Jason’s heart function has been declining and even affecting other parts of his body, resulting in elevated pulmonary pressures and renal insufficiency, and doctors say a heart transplant is critical to his survival.

            While this has certainly been a challenging time, Jason has remained determined and optimistic, thanks to his faith and the unwavering support system by his side. Together since the mid-90s, his wife, Ellen, has been through many ups and down with Jason and understands the intricacies of his overall health. They recently welcomed their first child, a little boy named Banner-Wolf, and Jason wants nothing more than to be able to run and play with his son as he grows. Despite his declining health, he has continued to serve his church by working with the youth group, and he looks forward to the transplant that will allow him to keep up with the teenagers. More than anything, he wants to spend many more years with Ellen and their loved ones, watching Banner-Wolf grow up. But right now, he needs your help.

Unfortunately, Jason’s hope for a new life comes at a very high price.

The average heart transplant costs nearly $1 million. And that’s only the beginning. Even with health insurance, which will cover a portion of the transplant costs, he faces significant expenses related to the surgery. For the rest of his life, he will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. Post-transplant medications are very expensive, and they’re as critical to his survival as the transplant itself. When he receives his transplant, Jason and his family must temporarily relocate 50 miles from his home to be near the hospital during recovery, incurring substantial expenses for travel, food and lodging.

What if your life depended on the compassion and generosity of others?

The National Foundation for Transplants (NFT) is working with volunteers and supporters to help relieve the growing burden of expenses for Jason. Your purchase will help enable NFT to provide Jason with the financial support he desperately needs.