About RJ: Robert Jett "RJ" Lynn, affectionately known as "Rocky,” born December 15, 2024, age 21 months, passed away on September 28, 2024. Robert was born with a heart condition that was later diagnosed as Restrictive Cardiomyopathy. His condition would require a multitude of interventions in order to become eligible and listed for heart transplant, which was needed for his longer term survival. Robert would go on to receive a heart transplant on June 2, 2024. He had many complex health issues, but over his 21 month battle, he proved his strength time and time again. He survived five cardiac arrests, two strokes, multiple open heart surgeries, pulmonary conditions, gastrointestinal complications, neurological conditions, & several near fatal infections. His lifelong battle is what earned him his nickname "Rocky" because he was an underdog fighter who always came out on top. Our Purpose: December of 2024 - Robert's Mom and Dad were 'noodling' on what to get each other for Christmas. They quickly decided to do something service related (rather than something material). As they sat on the couch one night (and ensuing nights), an idea was born as a way honor Robert's life and incorporate the skills and passions that his parents care so deeply about. His Mom and Dad began to work on setting up a non-profit 501(c)3. It's mission will be centered around providing financial assistance (and eventually services) to help low and moderate income families of critically-ill children with long-term hospitalizations who are at-risk of eviction or foreclosure. His Parents intend to call this passion project "Rocky's House." How this came about: Roberts parents spent 630 days of his 653 days on Earth inside the CICU at several children's hospitals and were witnesses of amazing things, terrible things, and things/situations most can't fathom. They not only witnessed these things with their own child, but also with the many families living in the hospital that shared a similar journey. During this time, their parents were privy to learn the many various and unique 'statistics' that hospitalized families are faced with - and NOT just the ones related to healthcare (i.e. divorce rates, child abandonment, job loss, depression, suicide, eviction, foreclosure etc.). One healthcare related statistic that Robert's medical team explained to his parents (very early on, and stood out) was the long-term success rates/positive outcomes of critically-ill children whose parents were present everyday at the hospital and active in the day-to-day decisions vs. the outcome of patients whose parents are not able to be at the hospital daily to materially participate in the care plan. That said, many families do not have a choice to be with their hospitalized child daily - the rent and mortgage must be paid, the insurance must continue, etc. A recent study showed that 61% of American families live paycheck to paycheck [CBS NEWS, Aug. 2024]. That means over HALF of these families (on average) must choose between being present and giving their child the best chances for a positive outcome, or quickly going broke and becoming at-risk of foreclosure or eviction. Robert's parents witnessed this occurrences with families they befriended. No family should ever be forced to be in these situations, but on top of the health challenges critically ill children and their families face, these outside of the hospital misfortunes are a sad reality. How to Help & Honor Robert (Rocky): Robert's parents are working toward the organization formation and achieving tax-exempt status (this takes time). That said, if Robert's story has inspired you, we kindly ask for your donation for 'seed' funding to kickstart the organization. Your donation will help us carry out its mission and we hope you will join us by other means (i.e. by way of your time and volunteerism) if you are unable to donate monetarily. Robert's parents look forward in continuing to honor their fighter and serve the many families that face incredible odds. We have an anonymous donor who is going to match, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000 for each dollar that is raised. We've set our goal at $100,000 to maximize the full potential of their generosity. Help us get there! Legal Disclaimer: 100% of proceeds collected will be used to seed fund the organization mentioned above. If for any reason the above organization does not achieve tax-exempt status ALL proceeds will be given to another non-profit(s) that have a similar mission as described above. No proceeds/donations collected will be retained by the Lynn family or other individual. Organizer Relationship to Beneficiaries: Timothy Lynn (Organizer) is Father to Robert J. Lynn & Sara Lynn (mother) (Timothy Lynn, Sara Lynn on behalf of the minor Robert J. Lynn are the initial Beneficiaries) Funds Use: 100% of proceeds will be used towards memorial fund in honor of Robert J. Lynn. Organizer & Beneficiary are family (Parent and Child) and funds will be managed by the Organizer/Guardian for use as described above on behalf of the beneficiaries. 501(c)3 approval and tax-exempt status is pending and therefore any donation at this time is not tax-deductible. Upon receiving approval of tax-exempt status, and any donation thereafter that is made through the organizations fundraising efforts, would be tax deductible eligible. More specifics on whether donations received while the application is pending, and if it may be treated as tax-deductible retroactively, will be provided at a later date. Please consult your CPA or tax professional in the interim.
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