"This is an Unbearable Time" – Local Family Struggles to Raise Funds for Child’s Critical Heart Condition

For the past several months, Paige Monroe has been navigating life inside and outside of hospitals as her 1-year-old son, Westin, battles a severe heart condition.

Westin’s heart is functioning at only 17 percent after a viral infection caused lasting damage. According to Monroe, the virus left his heart enlarged, which in turn affected his liver, kidneys, and lungs. The swelling prevents the mitral valve from closing fully, disrupting blood flow and causing further complications.

“This is definitely the hardest and scariest milestone my family has gone through, and Westin is being so strong and brave,” Monroe wrote on her fundraising page.

Westin is currently stable on multiple medications, including heart medicines, blood thinners, and diuretics, but doctors say his condition will be lifelong. He is limited in what physical activity he can do, something that is especially difficult for a child that young.

“He's restricted with physical activity. He can’t do anything that will increase his heart rate too much or strain it even more,” Monroe said. “And he's a daredevil monkey – he's always wanting to climb everything.”

Doctors have told the family that by the time Westin is 5, he will likely either need a heart pump or a transplant. Because of the blood thinners he takes, even minor accidents can be dangerous. “He has to be watched like a hawk,” Monroe explained. “If he hits his head at all, he has to be taken to the ER for a brain scan to make sure there isn’t a brain bleed.”

The family faces not only medical challenges, but also financial and logistical ones. Monroe has lived with Westin at the hospital for long stretches of time while his older brother, 7-year-old Landon, has been cared for by family members. Westin’s medications often require special compounding, which Monroe says only one pharmacy in the area provides but is not able to take their insurance. Because of this, Monroe says costs range from $200 to $600 out of pocket per medication.

To cover these and other expenses, Monroe launched a GoFundMe campaign with a $75,000 goal. However, after four months, the fundraiser has received just over $900 (as of the publishing time of this article). Other local fundraising efforts have seen similarly limited results, with Monroe's aunt Kelly McCormick saying that a recent event at Rapid Fire Pizza raised only $13.

Monroe said the family may eventually have to relocate to be closer to Westin’s doctors, a move that would add to their financial strain. She has asked for support through donations and volunteers to help organize fundraisers.

“This is an unbearable time,” Monroe said, “but I’m thankful for anyone who takes the time to read about my family and be here with us.”

The GoFundMe for Westin can be found here.