text: Fundraiser by Charie Looby : Heart Transplant for Matt Looby
  Heart Transplant for Matt Looby
  Charie Looby
  Medical WESTPORT, NY
  Matt Looby was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy nearly 16 years ago, suffering from a weak and enlarged heart. As a Marine Corps veteran, dedicated husband, and father of 8 children, Matt has managed to do well on past treatments of medication while pursuing his hobbies of art and astronomy. However, it was discovered this past November that his aortic valve has become essentially nonfunctioning. This development has dramatically worsened the condition of Matt's heart failure and he is now in urgent need of a heart transplant.
  He is currently receiving medical care at Massachusetts General Hospital, requiring frequent and numerous trips between upstate New York and Boston for the Looby family. These visits include various tests as doctors try to determine the best option for Matt, which most likely will include undergoing open heart surgery to repair the faulty valve and implanting an artificial pump called an LVAD. An LVAD requires him to wear a battery pack 24/7 and multiple medical visits. This procedure would require approximately 20 days of hospitalization. Even after this high-risk operation there is an average waiting period of 6 months to receive the final heart transplant.
  Any funds raised here will go to helping the Looby family in their effort to cover various medical and travel expenses. The transplant procedure itself will require a post-operation period of roughly 3 to 6 months in which Matt will be required to remain in Boston under medical care. Local community members are encouraged to attend the Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser on September 2 at the Whallonsburg Grange Hall. ( event link can be found here ) The Looby's cannot thank you enough for any support you might lend during this difficult time for our family.
  Posted by Charie Looby
  Our lives are getting easier. Matt improving slowly but surely. I don't know how we would have survived without the kindness and generosity of others!
  going in to surgery...
  3rd surgery I 8 months. This should be the last one. Matt feeling better already! Thank you to everyone who has helped over this last year of challenges!
  Surgery scheduled for May 2nd at Mass General in Boston! Prayers and support welcome and so very much appreciated!