By Taylor Ferraro Herald Staff Writer Article Last Updated: Tuesday, July 08, 2014 11:18pm
Durango baby Liam Maddox was 5 months old when he was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart becomes weakened and enlarged and is unable to pump blood.
Courtesy of Darrell Maddox
Liam Maddox received a heart transplant in Seattle. The Children’s Organ Transplant Association is helping raise money for the medical procedure.
As a result, he received a life-saving heart transplant on April 19 at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
The cost of a transplant often exceeds $500,000, a financial burden many transplant families are unable to shoulder.
A nonprofit, Children’s Organ Transplant Association, helps organize and guide communities in raising money for transplant-related expenses.
Through the Children’s Organ Transplant Association, an estimated $12,000 has been raised for Maddox by friends and family of his parents, Jaquelyn Wright and Paul Maddox. The family hopes to raise $30,000.
It’s nearly three months post surgery, and Maddox is recovering well, his grandfather, Darrell Maddox said.
“Things are progressing as the doctors expect, and there have been no major setbacks yet,” he said in an interview. “We are all happy with that.”
The family is planning a silent auction to benefit Maddox, which will be held in Durango later this year, he said.
Donations for Liam Maddox can be made through the Children’s Organ Transplant Association online at http://cotaforliamm.com.
tferraro@durangoherald.com
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