By Mike Weland
On January 7, Gavin Miglio, who’d been on the donor list since August, received a new heart. He is 15 years old. His dad, Chris Fitzgerald, is with Gavin, staying in a Minneapolis Ronald Donald House. His mom is in Post Falls, his step mom, Crystal, with the family car, is staying with her parents in Boundary County. It’s a little earlier than anticipated, but she’s looking for a house to rent.
Her family will be coming home sooner than doctors first predicted, May or possibly late April rather than June. The family had been living in North Dakota when Gavin fell ill, and all three couldn’t stay together in Minnesota, so Crystal drove the 1,300 miles west to stay with her family and work to support Gavin and Chris. She now works in the Boundary County Community Restorium, splitting her time between activities assistant and personal services assistant. After two years in North Dakota, the family, originally from Coeur d’Alene, look forward to making their home here in northernmost North Idaho.
Chris posted an update this morning that Gavin is doing very well, he is laughing again and healing.
“I love to see his smile again,” Chris wrote. “He has been doing very well on all the medication. I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for your donations. It will sure help put a dent with the medical bills that the insurance won’t cover. Thank you so much.”
It has been a financial squeeze, and the community has donated generously to their GoFundMe account and mailing donations, but more help is needed. Reaching the $7,000 goal might be a challenge, but it is a challenge worth pursuing to lend a hand to new neighbors in need.
9B.News established the “Help Warm Gavin’s New Heart” GoFundMe account in January right after Gavin’s heart transplant, raising $535 to date, with proceeds going directly to Chris. Those who’d rather mail payments can make checks payable to Crystal Fitzgerald, c/o 9B.News, 6619 Kaniksu St., Bonners Ferry, ID 83805.
Every donation, every prayer, is appreciated. And if you have or know of a three bedroom home with a dishwasher, preferably in the $1,000 per month range, email mike@9b.news or call (208) 217-1316 and I’ll see she gets the message.