Log In


Reset Password
News Education Local News Nation & World New Mexico

Event to raise money for toddler with heart transplant

Heartfest to help family with medical care
“In about a month-and-a-half, this whole thing happened,” Jaqueline “Jaci” Maddox said about the period of time in 2014 when her son, Liam, got sick, received a new heart and was discharged from the hospital. From 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, the Maddoxes will hold a fundraiser at Ska Brewing Co.

At the age of 5 months in April 2014, Liam Maddox suddenly needed a heart transplant after being diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, which was destroying his heart muscle.

His Durango-based parents Paul and Jaqueline Maddox, found themselves in the middle of a complicated – and expensive – medical situation.

While 21-month-old Liam is a thriving toddler now, he will require medical care for the rest of his life.

In 2014, family and friends hosted Heartfest to raise money to help with expenses, bringing in about $30,000 from Durango, Denver and Wrangell, Alaska, Jaci Maddox’s hometown. From 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, they will hold Heartfest 2015 at Ska Brewing Co.’s Tasting Room and Patio.

The event will feature the band Assortment, with food and beverages by Ska, which will donate a portion of the proceeds to Liam’s account at the Children’s Organ Transplant Association. While there is no admission fee, people who donate $10 or more will be eligible for door prizes.

“This is our second Heartfest campaign,” Liam’s grandmother Eileen Maddox said, “and we really wanted to just throw a thank-you party for the support we received from the Durango community last year.”

Money raised will go to the account at COTA, a nonprofit organization, so all donations are tax-deductible. As the Maddoxes need help for co-pays, insurance premiums and travel expenses to take Liam to Children’s Hospital in Denver, COTA will reimburse them from the account.

“They’re a member of the COTA family for life,” said Jim Inman, director of marketing for the nonprofit. “We’re 30 years old, and we have pediatric transplant patients from the 1980s and 1990s who are adults now, and we’re still helping with insurance premiums and other expenses.”

abutler@durangoherald.com

Aug 26, 2014
10-month-old heart patient needs to feel your love
Jul 8, 2014
Local baby has heart transplant
Apr 25, 2014
5-month-old Liam has rough welcome to world


Reader Comments