The dictionary defines a miracle as “a highly improbable or extraordinary event, development, or accomplishment that brings very welcome consequences.”

While miracles are amazing, living as a medical miracle is not an easy situation. Andy’s life is due to one amazing medical feat after another happening when they were needed – from a few months after birth, through childhood, and on to today. Well, now we are about to enter the part of the story where we need the biggest medical miracle yet to happen.

After nine long years dealing with the cascading fallout from a rare form of endocarditis, Andy is at the point where he needs a heart+liver double transplant to save the day. And because it isn’t enough fun to play Life on easy or even normal mode, there are 3 compounding factors that make his particular situation legendary. He needs 2 organs, he’s had 6 sternotomies, and he has all the antibodies (he got too excited with the Pokémon concept and decided to catch ’em all). So not only is a he a tough match, he’s a tricky procedure. But we’ve always been up for the challenge, and are now working to find the medical team that is up for it as well. We are currently working with Vanderbilt University Medical Center to see if they will be willing to list him for transplant.

While miracles can happen at any moment, “just like honesty needs a little plus, fate needs a little push.” And here is where you come in. We need your help to plus us and push us into a situation where we can make all of this happen. We are at the point where we need to start planning for long term medical care until either he achieves a successful transplant procedure or science and technology catch up and make a solid solution feasible for us. Either way, this is going to be the biggest challenge the Roach Wentzell Clan has yet faced.

But we know we can do this with a little help from our friends. Community is the most powerful concept in our world. Care and empathy for others. It’s so valuable. And we are asking you to help us direct some of this power toward our fight.

The easiest way anyone can help is through financial support, which is why we have created this campaign. Any amount of money is a boost for this fight, and every little Hit Point adds up.

If you would rather send financial support directly, we have a Venmo @BethRoach (2705 last four phone digits), a PayPal andrew.wentzell@gmail.com , a CashApp $esresq and a Fundrazr page https://fnd.us/SurviveForSpite

We also know, not everyone can or will want to support us in that way. Community support is more than just money. It’s connection. And this fight can feel lonely, so we also appreciate words of encouragement, funny memes and jokes, adorable and happy photos of friends (both human and otherwise). You can reach us on our social media accounts and cellphones, and we’ve also set up an email address specifically for this adventure – SurviveForSpite@gmail.com

If you feel up to sharing our campaign and our story in your network, that is helpful, too. And, if you happen to know Ryan Reynolds, Robert Downey, Jr., or Dolly Parton, you could tell them about us and that would be cool.

This chapter of our crazy adventure is just starting. I’m sure in typical Roach Wentzell Clan fashion it will be anything but boring. So keep an eye out for updates on what happens next! We will get through this. We will survive. For Spite!