On September 9, 2011, Josie received her long awaited gift. 

The perfect heart, at the perfect time, to last Josie a lifetime! 

Thank you for your continued prayers and support as Josie continues along her road to recovery.

Josie's Journey

Josie was a healthy 7 year old girl until the 2nd of October 2010, when she fell ill with what Marge and Joe thought was your standard, run of the mill "GI bug."  Marge mentioned during this time Josie's heart felt as though it was "beating out of her chest".  Within the next 2 days, Josie would go from Chester County Hospital to A.I. Dupont, and be diagnosed with myocarditis.  This is an inflammation of the major muscle of the heart, which causes the chambers of the heart to become enlarged, hindering the heart's ability to pump blood to other parts of the body.  Josie was a fighter through that first week but her heart continued to weaken and she required more supportive measures.  During the following week, the Bastas were told by her physicians that Josie needed a heart transplant.  In the meantime, Josie required a greater aid to bide her time until this gift arrives.  She underwent the surgical placement of a Berlin Heart Pump on the evening of October 14th.  All went well, and Josie's vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration) continued to stabilize.    

A long road lies ahead for Josie and her family.  The battle they face will not be faced alone. This is where COTA, the Children's Organ Transplant Association, comes in. COTA sent a representative to Chester Springs to train Josie's team of volunteers on the finer points of fundraising campaigns, hosts the website that you are visiting right now and will be offering help and support throughout the coming years.  

This website will be your source of information on fundraising events, photos of Josie, her family and friends, and for the continuation of the daily journal entries that were started on the CaringBridge website in October.  Please visit the events page for the information on the fundraising events being planned.