A Big Thanks to Coach Jank and Mustangs

[SmooBoy]

I have waited to share this until now, because for whatever reason the timing seems better than when the board was hypnotized by the undefeated run. Bear with me on the length of the post.

My son, Jeffrey, was born with a congenital heart condition called aortic stenosis. He had surgery at 5 weeks old to repair his aortic valve, and remained fairly healthy until this past summer before his 16th birthday. His heart was enlarging at an alarming rate, and he was forced to have open heart surgery to replace his aortic valve with his pulmonary valve, and to have a donor valve replace the pulmonary. It was an extremely long procedure at Dallas Medical City, lasting over 7 hours, but he made it through successfully. He is now 16 and the healthiest he’s been in his life.

Before and after surgery he received encouragement from WFAA, SMU, The Ticket Radio (96.7), KCBI Radio (90.9) and my employer (Fidelity Investments), as well as countless other friends and family. Coach Jank reached out, as he has a son the same age, sent encouraging emails, got the team to do the same, and even invited us as guests in the locker room and courtside for the Brown game. Jank was so humble and honored to have us, it was simply unbelievable.

My son was so overwhelmed he was determined to give something back to others once he recovered.

Jeffrey is now 5 months past surgery and has started a new non-profit endeavor (501(c)(3) to give back to teens with congenital heart conditions and their families, and specifically, those facing imminent heart surgery. His foundation, Jeffrey Has Heart, will provide subsidies for families with teens that are undergoing heart surgeries, to help them with lodging, food, and gifts during a most stressful time.

The Ticket's Jake Kemp was nice enough to voice a promo video for us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XImWmE169Zc

It's been quite a journey and it's just the beginning. We are having a banquet on March 31, 2016 in Southlake to officially kick off the charity in a big way. We will have at least one heart patient attending the banquet, who will be receiving our first ever recipient of donated funds. I am desperately tracking down silent auction items and Jeffrey is staying busy with school, work, scouts, and doing what he can with this new endeavor.

Thanks to Coach Jank, the Mustang team, and SMU for making this such an incredible experience for my son, and now for many others facing the same situation.

-smooboy

[PonyKai]

That's all-around a terrific story.

[indianmustang]

https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/f15pC1

[ponyboy]

Thank you for sharing that, SmooBoy. Great, great story

[Junior]

Good story, and glad your son is doing great!

[soccermom]

Thanks for sharing and congratulations on your son's great health.

[Arkpony]

Very nice!

[deucetz]

Glad your son is doing better.

[3rdGenPony]

Glad to hear the SMU program is continuing to do the right things on and off the court. Class all the way around. More importantly, SmooBoy, I am glad to hear your son is doing well!

[Smulaw90]

Kudos to Jeffrey, your family and all involved. Just made a contribution. Let's raise that money!!

Auction off a day with Smu basketball and I bet that would raise $2500.

Pony up!

[SmooBoy]

I appreciate the kind responses. Thanks much!

[hjone89]

Thank you for sharing that

[SmooBoy]

To be clear, this was not an attempt to extort money from PonyFans peeps. Rather an opportunity to point out how special this team of coaches and players truly is. I absolutely can't stress enough how wonderful these guys are.