USA:MD:Hagerstown:Washington Square United Methodist Church:Alivia Koontz

Home

Beliefs

Bible Readings

Alivia Koontz

Alivia Koontz was born March 25, 2004 with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and Right Lung Hypoplasia. Very few children are born with both. Five days after she was born she had her first surgery. These surgeries are very complex and extremely risky. In September of 2004 Alivia had a catheterization and the second stage of her surgery.

Things seemed to be going right until June of 2006, when she had another catheterization. It showed a blockage in her heart that required an unplanned surgery. Two months later, she had an atrial septectomy to take care of the blockage. Typically, children with Alivia's condition have the third stage of the surgery by the age of three, but she is still struggling to gain weight for the third stage. With Alivia's condition, the surgeries may not work. It is also possible that, with her heart and lung problems, she could need both a heart and lung transplant.

Alivia tires easily and sometimes looks blue. A temperature of 99.9 usually requires a doctor's visit. At four years old, she weighs approximately 25 pounds. The monthly shots that Alivia receives cost $900. The family takes everything day to day, enjoying every day that they have with her.

Contributions to help with Alivia's medical care are greatly appreciated, and may be sent to Washington Square, marked "Alivia Koontz Medical Fund."