Submitted
Hays resident Toni Whitmer is organizing a GoFundMe fundraiser on behalf of Marcos Villasenor-Diaz, a Hays youngster who faces another open heart surgery this summer.
Whitmer submitted the following information with help from Marcos' mother Maria Villasenor-Diaz.
Marcos Villasenor-Diaz is an awesome, tough and faith-filled 11-year-old kiddo who just wrapped up fifth grade in Hays.
Marcos went through an intense and scary open heart surgery mid-April, which was supposed to be a four-hour procedure that turned into 12. It was the toughest heart surgery his surgeon had ever performed, and because of the toll it took on Marcos’ body, they weren’t able to finish everything they needed to in one day.
Concerned about his other organs due to the duration and seriousness of the surgery, the doctor decided to schedule a follow-up surgery on July 17. Marcos heads back to Kansas City then so the doctors can balloon the valve behind his heart. This will open up the remaining blockage in his heart, allowing him to finally receive better oxygen. He has also been seeing a hematologist and has weekly appointments in Wichita or Kansas City all throughout the summer.
With the weekly out-of-town appointments comes more financial need for fuel, hotel stays for their family of four, and meals, on top of the medical bills they’re trying to keep up with. Marcos’ doctor also strongly encourages them to purchase a new medical bed for his condition. This all adds up quickly and is overwhelming for this wonderful family, who is so full of hope and great strength.
Sergio and Maria Villasenor simply want to see their son strong and happy again after all of these procedures are behind him! They look forward to the day that he can run around and be an energetic kid again. He is still very weak and tires quickly due to the enlargement of his heart, which should eventually shrink back down to normal size over the next year.
If you’re a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church or a Holy Family Elementary family, you may know the Villasenors!
I have never met a family so full of hope, leaning on their faith and the Lord to help see them through this journey. After all, Marcos has been a fighter since he was 2-years-old!
We hope you can pray for Marcos and his family. If you can help this family financially, they’d be so grateful!
We set this up for support so that they can make it through these summer appointments and the big follow-up surgery. Any amount, small or large, makes an enormous difference to this family!!
Please reach out to us if you have any questions or want to know more about Marcos and his journey!
Read more about Marcos’ amazing story here !!