Rob is a 41 year old Army Veteran, father of 2 young children, beloved member of our Mental Health treatment team at the Asheville VA Medical Center, our dear friend, and a wonderful human. He also suddenly needs a new heart. Rob was unexpectedly hospitalized in early June, the start of a series of assessments and ICU admissions, and we have all been very worried about him. Through those admissions and assessments, Rob was ultimately diagnosed with Chronic Systolic Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy. Home for now, he is on a full-time IV medication that essentially keeps his heart pumping. Rob recently underwent further evaluation for a heart transplant at both the Richmond, Virginia VA Medical Center and Duke University Medical Center. Thankfully, he has been approved for a heart transplant at both hospitals. The path to transplant is a long one, and there is no predictable timeline when it comes to the gift of a new heart. Rob has been unable to work since the first of June and it is uncertain just how long he will continue to be without income. Our team misses him and will fight to keep his position open and waiting for him following a successful transplant and recovery. Beyond the obvious heartache, fear, and overwhelm, the financial reality is harsh, compounding stress and adding insult to injury. The facts are that Rob has been unable to return to work since his first and sudden hospitalization in June. The paid leave he’s accrued has run out, as has the advanced medical leave, and Rob has been informed that Social Security Disability will take anywhere from 3-9 months to come through if approved on his first application submission. At this time, he is facing mounting financial strain with no indication of when he might receive a transplant, let alone return to work. Rob is unbelievably kind, selfless, a wealth of information on Veteran resources, an asset to our team, and a light for all those he has served and supported. He is deeply missed at work by peers and Veterans alike, and we will be by his side in support as this unpredictable journey continues to unfold. He would never ask for it, but Rob needs our help. And he deserves it. We all love you buddy. So much. You got this.
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