KEEGAN IS HOME AGAIN!!
Thank you for your prayers and support!
Keegan's Mama is Twittering...click HERE!
DONATE NOW by clicking the DONATE TAB above. GET INVOLVED IN KEEGAN'S CAMPAIGN - more info in the VOLUNTEER tab above!
Check out what's new in Keegan's life by reading his journal!
Have you seen Keegan lately? New pictures and video are here.
EMAIL KEEGAN (or his parents) at keeganharrison@yahoo.com. We'd love to hear from you!
Keegan Holt Harrison was born at 6:24am on Wednesday, September 12, 2007, in Plano, Texas. He weighed 5 lbs and 5 ounces and was 18 3/4 inches long. Keegan was diagnosed in utero with a congenital heart defect known as Tetralogy of Fallot and was transferred to Children's Medical Center of Dallas when he was about three hours old. Dr. Steven Leonard at CMC began complete surgical repair of Keegan's heart on Thursday, September 13, 2007. After 10 hours of surgery, the doctors believed the defect had been repaired, but Keegan's oxygen saturation levels were still extremely low. He was placed on ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). This form of life support circulated and oxygenated Keegan's blood for him.
Over the next few days, a large hematoma developed on the ventrical septal wall of Keegan's heart which severely damaged both ventricles. It became apparent that Keegan would not be able to survive off of ECMO and would need a heart transplant within three weeks. After only 48 hours on the transplant list, Keegan received the beautiful, life-saving gift of a new heart. Dr. Kristine Guleserian at Children's Medical Center performed the transplant when Keegan was only 1 week old and weighed about 5 pounds. Keegan is the youngest and smallest heart transplant performed at Children's and in the state of Texas. He is possibly the smallest heart transplant recipient in the country.
Keegan was discharged from Children's Medical Center on October 12, 2007, when he was exactly one month old. He spent only four and a half days on the recovery floor after 3 weeks in the ICU. Today, he is doing well and looks every bit of a normal baby. We are eternally grateful to his donor family for the gift of such a strong, amazing heart! Thank you to everyone who cared for Keegan at Children's Medical Center. He would not be the "little fiery one" he is today without each and everyone of the exceptional surgeons, doctors, nurses, and staff at CMC.
**UPDATE!!!** Keegan has battled intestinal failure without a true diagnosis since the summer of 2008. The doctors think it may be related to his initial heart surgery, ECMO, and transplant. He has spent only 21 days at home since October 2008. In March 2009, Keegan was transferred to Children's Hospital of Boston in hopes of finding a diagnosis and treatment that would help Keegan live a more normal life at home. After 20 days at CHB, Keegan was discharged on full tube feeds and NO IV NUTRITION!! We remained in Boston for another 5 weeks outpatient and arrived home again at the beginning of May 2009. He continues to have intestinal, liver, skin, and kidney problems, in addition to his heart. Keegan remains on 100% formula feeds through a tube in his stomach, but he is gaining weight and getting stronger each day. We cannot express our gratitude to the doctors and nurses that brought healing to our Bug after seven long months of hospitalization. You will remain in our prayers and hearts forever, and we hope to visit as friends again!
Keegan's fight is not over. He will remain on immunosuppression medication for the rest of his life and will require constant medical supervision. The cost of Keegan's heart transplant has already exceeded $1,000,000. With the help of the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA), Keegan's campaign fundraising goal is $50,000. Please check this site frequently for updates on Keegan, new pictures, and information on how you can help this miracle baby!!!
IMPORTANT DONATION INFORMATION:
EVERY CENT RAISED goes directly to Keegan’s cause. As a 501 (c) (3) national charity organization, COTA provides services to you that are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law and at no cost to you. There are several ways that you can make a donation to help Keegan’s on-going treatment and support.
· You may make secure donate on-line for Keegan at the DONATE tab above.
· Make a donation in honor of or in memory of a friend or loved one for Keegan’s benefit at this link . (Be sure to select Keegan Harrison's name on the drop down list titled "I Would Like My Contribution to Honor".)
· Visit any Wells Fargo Bank location to donate in person to account 8786043722.
· Or send your checks to: COTA (Children's Organ Transplant Association)
2501 West COTA Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
Memo Line: write "Keegan Harrison"
Does your company match charitable donations? Many large companies will. Please check to see if this applies to you. If so, just notify your company (usually, it's the benefits department), and they can supply you with the proper forms. Once the forms have been processed, please make copies and notify COTA that a matching donation has been made that you would like credited to Keegan's fund. You can also e-mail this information to Judy at judy@cota.org. Most companies will only match donations to a charitable organization, such as COTA, and not to individuals. So be sure to submit the forms as a donation to COTA.
Thank you on behalf of Keegan!!!!