Bear needs a Ventricular Assist Device; this is a procdure that costs over $3Million. (Insurance only covers half!). Please read his story, and give him a happy, healthy, and longer life!Edward "Bear" Pellegrino is a loving and dedicated husband, a father of three bright young women, and a doting grandson to Avery. He is a loyal employee of forty years to a very credible business, and a lover of everything Harley Davidson.I know Bear because I am friends with his oldest daughter. That's right - I'm not family, or a childhood friend of Bear's. I've started this charity for a few reasons: because I've known Bear and Kayla for about 15 years, he is one of the sweetest and caring people I've ever met, and I would want someone to step up if my father was in need and deserved to live a longer and even more fulfilling life.I'll tell you a little more about Bear, and then explain his unfortunately rapid and jolting experience with Congestive Heart Failure, and why we're truly here. In Kayla's words: My dad loves riding his Harley, which unfortunately he can no longer do unless he get a bike with 3 wheels for safety reasons :( he is totally bummed about it because that bike was his pride and joy, that was his "me" time, being able to get on the bike and ride. He loves to wash his truck, which again he can no longer do because it was too hard for him to breath and his body just wouldn't let him do it. (I mean were talking about a F-150 lol not a little Fiat, I can imagine washing that thing is an all day affair).He loves to play jungle gym with Avery. His smile beams from ear to ear when he's with Avery.His Pomeranian, Meeko, means the world to him. (He truly has an adorable obsession with this dog :)He also loved coaching football and being involved with the youth league any way he could. Growing up he supported my sisters and me at all our cheerleading events; whether it was a competition, or a football game in the rain or freezing cold.He loves watching his Patriots every Sunday with a pizza. (He only gets one cheat day - so he saves it for pizza when the Pats play).He loves to go to game dinners with his friends and my mom too.He likes to shop at Harley Davidson - of course!My dad loves a good burger or a yummy grilled chicken salad.Now for the tough part...Bear's frequent visits to the hospital came as a surprise, and very quickly. In mid-January this year, Bear was seen in the emergency room with chest pain where he was first diagnosed with CHF (Congestive Heart Failure). After being diagnosed, he began seeing a cardiologist for consultations and reasoning for CHF.On February 9th he collapsed getting out of the shower with a heart attack. He needed CPR and one round of shock before the EMTs rushed him to Kent County Hospital in Rhode Island.On February 11th, doctors at Kent County did a heart catherization which showed that Bear has so much scar tissue and heart damage that he has only 20% heart function. It's important for people to understand that this is not common; especially in a man with the "heart" and passion for life he has, and the level of activity he performed each day. At that time the doctors determined that he either had multiple previous silent heart attacks or one massive heart attack that was unknown to him (again, not your typical heart attack presentation). On February 13th an ICD was put into Bear's chest, which resulted in a 10 day ICU stay.He was discharged and attempted to go back to work 6 weeks later, in April. 6 weeks after being back to work he had a second episode pulling into work and was rushed to RI hospital, which was when we realized his body can't function as he wanted to with 20%. Other treatment and lifestyle changes needed to be addressed at this time.Post the second episode and hospital admission, his middle daughter was able to advocate for cardiac rehab and get him into a program which he started on July 16th. Bear is now a graduate of cardiac rehab and had extraordinary results (this should have been suggested prior to return to work in April). Unfortunately, Bear is now unable to work, so is unable to afford this helpful rehab.Bear was admitted to the Heart Transplant List via Tufts Hospital in Boston since then.Although he has been admitted to the list, given the rare blood type Bear has along with other factors, doctors have determined that a mechanical assistance device is the best option until a heart becomes available to him.I will keep you updated, as we continue on this journey.Thank you so very much for your support. <3
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