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- Josie's Oktoberfest (Fundraiser Event)August 21st, 2011
Get your tickets now for Josie's Oktoberfest!
Email josies.oktoberfest2011@gmail.com for registration forms and ticket buying information.
TimeSaturday, October 22 · 12:00pm -…Read more..
Be a heart hero for Josie! Donate online or send checks to the address below.
Heart Heroes for Josie Donation Trust Information:
Checks, cash, gifts, care packages, letters, etc. can be sent to:
HHFJ
5280 Annapolis Lane North
Apt. #3205
Plymouth, MN 55446
100% of funds sent directly to this address goes to Josie's medical expenses not covered by insurance.
Meet Josie Fort! She was born January 11th, 2010 at Abbot Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She spent four days in the NICU at Children's Minneapolis before going home.
Josie was born with a very rare congenital heart defect called double outlet right ventricle (DORV). Her pulmonary artery and aorta both rise from the right ventricle. Normally, the aorta rises from the left ventricle and is responsible for pumping oxygen-rich blood to the body. She would require surgery to fix the defect.
At six weeks old, Josie underwent her first open heart surgery to help her heart pump blood more efficiently. She spent a week in the hospital before going home.
In the months that followed, Josie was evaluated by cardiologists, surgeons, and pediatricians to determine when she was ready for her big repair surgery. In September of 2010, at 19 pounds, Josie was wheeled into an eight hour open heart surgery to repair the defect. While in recovery, Josie's heart wasn't keeping a steady rhythm. She went under the knife a week later to have a permenant pace maker put in her abdomen to help her heart pump.
Josie celebrated her first birthday in January 2011 with all her friends and family. She opened presents and dove into a chocolate cake.
In the weeks before and following her first birthday, Josie suffered from a sinus infection, bladder infection, and a virus called hand-foot-mouth. On January 28th, after three days of fussing and not sleeping, her mom took her to the ER and she was admitted right away.
Josie's heart was functioning at 15%, despite the pacemaker. She would need a third open heart surgery. The surgeons waited one week before operating to give Josie some time to get stronger. The surgery was intense and it was likely Josie would be on a life support machine and have her chest open afterwards. Josie surprised everyone when she was wheeled out of surgery with a closed chest and not on life support! She had a stronger pace maker in hopes it would improve her heart function.
As of March 8th, 2011, Josie's heart still has not improved. Her breathing is labored and she has a feeding tube. She's hospital bound and 100% dependent on IV medication. Josie is awaiting confirmation for a heart transplant following her evaluation.
Josie does not let her ailments define her. She's a happy little girl and loves to be around people. She is allowed to go on wagon rides around the ward, and stops to wave and smile at all the babies and nurses. She loves Dora the Explorer, having her picture taken, and reading books.
Josie has already had a grueling fight for survival, and has a truly inspirational story to anyone who hears it. The road ahead of her is long. Josie's mom, Brittanie, spends all her time at the hospital with her. Josie's dad, Jeff, is a Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves. He's served two tours overseas and is scheduled for another in 2012. He just graduated from UMD and is interviewing the the Cities for a job as an athletic trainer.
EDIT 5/2/11: Josie's transfer to Amplatz at the U of M went smoothly. She was able to go home with IV medications, G-tube, and visits from a home care nurse. Unfortunately, Josie was admitted again right after Easter. She was transferred to the brand spankin' new Amplatz Children's Hospital and was in a Star Tribune article! Hopefully she'll be able to go home again, but for now her heart failure is making her very uncomfortable.
EDIT 5/28/11: Josie had surgery to have the Berlin heart installed and a new pace maker. She wasn't doing well after being extubated, and had to be re-intubated. She was intubated and sedated for over two weeks. Then a heart became available! Josie was prepped and and waiting when the donor heart arrived. The heart started beating on its own, like it knew right where it was supposed to be. Josie did great in the surgery, and is doing well resting.
You can be a Heart Hero for Josie! The money raised for Josie will go to medical expenses not covered by insurance.
Heart Heroes for Josie updates.
Josie's Oktoberfest (Fundraiser Event)
August 21st, 2011
Get your tickets now for Josie's Oktoberfest!
| Time | Saturday, October 22 · 12:00pm - 10:00pm |
|---|---|
| Location | Eagle Trace Golf and Event Center 1100 Main St Clearwater, MN |
| Created By | |
| For | Heart Heroes for Josie |
| More Info | Timeline: Golf Scramble with a Shotgun Start 12:00 Cocktail Hour (s) 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Dinner 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Comedy show provided by C. Willi Myles 7:00 pm - 7:45pm (Courtesy of GL Berg) Silent Auction closeout. 8:00-9:00pm This Fundraiser is being put on to help Josie's parents cover the large medical expenses for her care as well as her 5 open heart surgeries. Ticket Prices are: 18 Holes of Golf w/ Cart: $40. Dinner and Comedy Show: $25 Or do all three and it's only $60! We only have room for 88 Golfers and 200 people for the Dinner/ Comedy Show. Any further questions or to RESERVE your spots e-mail josies.oktoberfest2011@gma The following are offering special rates to people who attend this event. Country Inn and Suites West 235 Park Avenue South, St. Cloud MN 56301 320.259.8999 Ask for group code Josie's Oktoberfest 10 Double Queen Rooms ($79) 5 King Suite Rooms ($89) Country Inn and Suites East Intersection of MN Hwy 23 and US Hwy 10, 120 7th Ave SE, St Cloud, MN 56304 320.252.8282 Group code Josie's Oktoberfest 10 Double Queen Rooms ($89) Le St-Germain Hotel 404 West Saint Germain, St. Cloud, MN 56301 320.654.1661 Group Code Josie's Oktoberfest 10 Rooms ($99) Hampton Inn and Suites 145 37th Ave N Saint Cloud 320.252.4448. Group Code Josie's Oktoberfest 10 Double Queen Rooms ($89) These specials will be snatched up quickly so please make your reservations now! |
Josie's Heart Day
May 28th, 2011
I want to start by asking everyone to send a prayer to the donor family who chose to donate their baby's organs in order to save at least one life today. As a mother, I cannot imagine how the family must be feeling. Through the fog of pain and suffering, however, their compassion and love was extraordinary. Because of you, donor family, Miss Josie has a new lease on life.
Benefit for Josie is TODAY
May 15th, 2011
End Zone Bar and Grill in Ramsey, MN from 1-4PM.
Change of Plans
May 12th, 2011
Josie was supposed to get a Berlin today. If you aren't familiar with the Berlin, click on this link: Berlin Heart. Josie was ready for surgery this morning when a pre-op echo revealed that her aortic valve was leaking. This means the Berlin will have to be put on hold until the surgeons reevaluate their approach. This could mean the valve needs to be repaired first, or in the same surgery as the Berlin. Also, Josie may require two Berlin devices, one for each side of her heart. I had the unique opportunity to meet a baby yesterday that just got her Berlin a little over a week ago. Her mom said the improvement is almost immediate. Once Josie gets the Berlin, she may start to feel better while she waits for her new heart to come.
A Benefit for Josie
April 30th, 2011
My manager and co-workers have been putting a benefit together for Josie! It will be at the End Zone bar and grill in Ramsey on May 15 from 1p-4p if you can make it out! It is going to be a lot of fun there's going to be a DJ and a silent auction! I will post the flyer when I get it scanned into my computer! Thank you for all your support!
Welcome Home, Josie!!!
March 29th, 2011
A few things to mention....
Welcome Home, Josie!!!
March 29th, 2011
A few things to mention....
You take my breath away...
March 28th, 2011
The generosity of strangers makes me cry. Through the power of people, we have received donations from people who have seen or heard the story from someone else, and don't know Josie or her family personally. Thank you so much. The ripples of support around Josie have turned to waves, and we are an ocean of love for this little girl and her family. On behalf of Josie, her family, and from the bottom of my heart I thank you.
Level Up! HHFJ in the Elite Eight!
March 25th, 2011
A very special thank you to all our donors that got Heart Heroes for Josie into the next round of GiveForward March Madness!
Happy Sweet 16!
March 21st, 2011
Hey there, everyone! Due to the enormous success of Heart Heroes for Josie, we are in the Sweet Sixteen of the GiveForward March Madness tournament! If HHFJ raises enough money, we will win a bonus for our fundraiser. Please Please Please, keep sharing Josie's amazing story to everyone you know. Follow CaringBridge and join the Heart Heroes for Josie Facebook group!
7 weeks = 49 days = 1176 hours
March 18th, 2011
Can you imagine going on a cruise for 7 weeks? Skiing in the alps for 7 weeks? Oh, how about an African safari? A 7 week tour of Europe? That's 49 days of you doing exactly what you want, you're on vacation!
Welcome to Amplatz!
March 15th, 2011
Josie had her first ambulance ride for her transfer to Amplatz Children's Hospital at the U of M. As expected, she went through a battery of testing right when she got there, with more to come. Send your thoughts and prayers to Josie and her family this week as they get settled in and meet the new team. I have every confidence that Josie will do great at all of her tests and she gets approved and put on the transplant list by the end of the week! We now have a group on Facebook called Heart Heroes for Josie. See CaringBridge updates, check in with the fundraiser, and see pictures and videos! Thanks everyone for your wonderful support of this little champion!
Josie Update
March 11th, 2011
Miss Josie is being transferred to Amplatz Children's Hospital at the U of M. Here she will go through a series of tests to evaluate her for the transplant list. With hope, the transfer goes smoothly, and Josie can get settled in nicely. Also, we hope the evaluation goes well, and she gets on the transplant list as soon as possible. Follow Josie's journey on CaringBridge!
I Am Doing Something
March 10th, 2011
In just over three days, we've raised over $500 and had almost 700 page views. From the bottom of my heart I want to thank everyone who read Josie's story, looked at her pictures, and donated to her cause. We are turning "I wish I could do something." into "I am doing something."
Heart Heroes for Josie Donors.
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Anonymous gave $325.00March 17th, 2011
"Brittanie, I'm not sure if there are days where you feel weary or alone, please know that God has sent people that you have never even met to support and bless you and Josie. Hopefully, my husband and I will have the opportunity to meet you someday. I pray that you feel God's grace."
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Anonymous gave $325.00April 18th, 2011
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Anonymous gave $325.00April 4th, 2011
"More Prayers...."
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Rose Kosevich gave $200.00March 20th, 2011
"My hopes and wishes for only the best for Josie!"
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Kevin Blake & Melissa Simon gave $25.00August 12th, 2011
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Anonymous gave $20.00July 8th, 2011
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Thomas A. Johnson gave $50.00May 19th, 2011
"I know it's not much, but from my heart to Josie's I hope this will help your family."
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Anonymous gave hiddenMay 17th, 2011
Hugs for Heart Heroes for Josie.