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MetroWest Reminder Assistant Editor SPRINGFIELD Russell and Marie McIntire will host a fund-raiser next month for their son, 14-year-old Matthew, who is on a waiting list for a new heart. The benefit, which will take place early next month at the West Springfield Elks Club, will include a pasta dinner, raffles, dancing and entertainment provided by a DJ. All proceeds from the benefit will help cover the costs related to Matthew's heart transplant surgery when the time comes. Matthew, known as "Matt" to his family and friends, was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a condition that his father said means he was born with half of a heart. Russell said that it "was not very easy" hearing the news about his son's condition 24 hours after he was born. He added that shortly after hearing the news, Matt went in for his first surgery. Since then, Russell said his son has gone through about six heart surgeries and six other surgeries. According to the American Heart Association's (AHA) website, www.americanheart.org, "in hypoplastic left heart syndrome, the left side of the heart including the aorta, aortic valve, left ventricle and mitral valve is underdeveloped." The website explained that a baby born with the condition may seem normal at first, but the condition will come to the attention of doctors within a few days of birth. "Although this defect is not correctable, some babies can be treated with a series of operations or a heart transplantation," according to the AHA. Matt went through the series of surgeries, which rerouted his arteries, according to Russell. "Every year they do something," Russell said, adding that there are three stages to the surgery that reroutes arteries to make the heart work. According to the AHA website, the first stage of the surgery that should be performed shortly after birth, known as the Norwood procedure, "allows the right ventricle to pump blood to both the lungs and the body." The final stages have three names the bi-directional Glenn, Fontan operation and lateral tunnel. The stages "create a connection between the veins returning blue blood to the heart and the pulmonary artery. The overall goal of the operation is to allow the right ventricle to pump only oxygenated blood to the body and prevent or reduce mixing of the red and the blue blood," according to the AHA website. Russell said that Matthew has gone through the last stage, called a Fontan, and was placed on the heart transplant waiting list Nov. 11, 2005. "We are waiting for a miracle," Russell said, adding that he does not know long the wait will be for a new heart. Although Matt has gone through much more than other children his age, Russell said he is a good kid who enjoys many things other 14-year-old boys are interested in. He said his son enjoys sports and going to school. He likes baseball, specifically the Yankees, and also enjoys playing video games. He added that, while Matt enjoys playing sports, he tires very easily. He also said Matt attends school at Van Sickle Middle School for a half day "because he gets tired and can't make a whole day." "His friends take very good care of him," Russell said. "They know he is very sick and really, everybody loves him." He added that his son is "a very, very nice kid who would do anything for anyone to help them out." Russell said that Matt deals with his sickness very well. "I tell him everything that is happening and he does good," he said. Russell said he and Marie decided to have a benefit in honor of Matt's heart transplant to cover the expenses related to the surgery. "We have talked to a lot of parents who have gone through this and said it takes quite a bit of money," Russell said. He added that many costs are covered by insurance but some expenses are not. He explained that they are trying to raise some money to help cover expenses of items not covered by health insurance and to help the family travel back and forth to Boston Children's Hospital, where Matt will be for six or seven months after the surgery. Russell added that Marie will probably stay with him for most of the time and he will travel back and forth from Springfield and Boston, while still maintaining their home and bills in Springfield and paying for food, lodging and gas. The family is hoping to raise about $6,000 at the benefit. Russell said the family is also looking for any businesses interested in donating raffle prizes or anyone who would like to give cash donations. The March 3 benefit at the West Springfield Elks Club on Morgan Road will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets for the fund-raiser are $15 and can be obtained by calling Russell at home at 746-9727 or his cell phone at 204-1266. Tickets will also be available at the door. In addition to the fund-raiser, the McIntire's have set up a bank account for Matt at Berkshire Bank. Anyone interested in making a donation for Matt can go to any Berkshire Bank branch and tell them that they want to make a donation in regards to Matthew McIntire. |
