A day at the beach with friends yielded a summer sunburn, the final straw for his ailing body as he headed into complete heart failure at the age of 18. Just weeks after graduating High School, Hunter was rushed to Dartmouth Hospital where hospital staff discovered that Hunter’s heart was only operating at 10% capacity. After being flown via Dart helicopter to Tufts Boston, he was immediately put into a medically induced coma. What was originally intended to be days turned into months of intense care and sedation to keep him alive. Hunters survival was uncertain at times but he awoke nearly 60 days later unaware of where he was or what happened to him

Hunter was nearly paralyzed from extreme atrophy, only able to move his left arm slightly. Almost all bodily function was regulated by medical devices. Hunter learned that a piece of his heart had been removed to make room for an LVAD, a pump that would now circulate his blood for him because, his heart could no longer do so.

Hunters challenges had just begun. He was forced to start life from the beginning and relearn all basic motor function of his body. The smallest tasks had become monumental hurdles. Hunter and his family celebrated many milestones and small victories along the way including speaking, eating and sitting on the edge of his bed for the first time since he was admitted to the hospital. Two and a half months after waking up, Hunter took his first few steps, progressing little by little each day. Hunter endured months of intense hardship and pain to regain what he had lost. With amazing support from Tufts and his family, Hunter was able to come home on May 1st, 2024. Eight and a half months after he was admitted.

Hunter’s Life Today: With tremendous support from family and community, Hunter was able to return to fully renovated living space that accommodates the new needs. He has been spending his time resting and enjoying a more normal life outside of a hospital setting. He has been able to spend time with family and friends again after the hardest 9 months of his life. He lives with his LVAD at home and has adapted his lifestyle to his new heart pump. Hunter still faces many challenges ahead and that’s why he needs your generosity. Please consider clicking the DONATE link above to learn why Hunter needs your financial assistance to help secure a better future.