13-year-old Victor Cruz from Tampa, Florida is in urgent need of a heart transplant after being diagnosed with a rare heart condition. Cruz began experiencing symptoms shortly after his birthday on March 16, when he started feeling nauseated and unable to keep food down. After visiting his pediatrician, he was admitted to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa before being transferred to UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville.
Doctors diagnosed Cruz with dilated cardiomyopathy, a type of heart muscle disease that causes the heart chambers to thin and stretch, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood effectively. He is scheduled to undergo open-heart surgery next week to have a pump installed to assist his heart, but his sister, Louise Cruz, expressed uncertainty about how long the wait for a heart transplant will be. An online fundraising campaign on GoFundMe has garnered significant support from the community, and the family is grateful for the donations, hoping that financial concerns will not hinder their focus on Victor’s treatment.
In light of April being National Donate Life Month, Cruz hopes that sharing her family’s story will encourage others to consider organ donation and the positive impact it can have on the lives of individuals in need. Contributions to Victor’s medical expenses can be made through the GoFundMe page provided.
