On May 28, 2024, Andy, experiencing shortness of breath, visited Sanford Urgent Care in Fargo. He had a doctor’s appointment scheduled for later that week but at the urging of his boss, he went in that day. Concerned by the testing results Andy was sharing, and how it was going on four hours that he was at URGENT care his wife joined him. They were told that Andy needed to be hospitalized immediately. The initial diagnosis was Heart Failure. Many tests and procedures began at that point and every day it seemed the heart failure was worse – each test showed how weak and sick his heart really was. A special Cardiac MRI was scheduled in the hope of a Triple By-Pass Surgery, and he was sent home.

On June 16 – Father’s Day, Andy’s wife brought him back to Sanford ER. The special Cardiac MRI showed that a Bypass in Fargo was not going to be possible. Andy was transferred to the University of Minnesota Hospital. After extensive testing, including a revised Cardiac MRI, the U of M moved forward with a Quadruple bypass surgery. The surgery was successful beyond expectations. He was discharged from Minneapolis on July 14th and excited and motivated to recover and heal. Andy is following all the recommendations for healing: diet, exercise, and juggling medications to manage his heart failure. Unfortunately, the future of him returning to work is unlikely and Andy and his family is currently in a one-income home facing increasing expenses including medical costs that will need to be paid out of pocket.

When you give online to this fundraiser, your gift goes directly to the family, and Lend A Hand Up provides a 20% financial boost to increase your giving value. The Lend A Hand Up boost applies solely to online gifts processed through this giving site. Should you wish to make a gift by cash or check, your generosity should be directed to the family or their fund at United Savings Credit Union, as Lend A Hand Up does not process cash or check gifts for families.