20-year-old Buffalo Woman Suffers Stroke, Cardiac Arrest While Awaiting Heart Transplant

A Buffalo family is turning to the community for help as their 20-year-old daughter fights for her life following a series of medical emergencies tied to a lifelong heart condition.

Danielle was born with a complex congenital heart condition known as hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a diagnosis that has required her to undergo numerous medical procedures and open-heart surgeries throughout her life. Despite enduring significant health challenges since birth, her resilience and strength has served as a source of inspiration for her younger siblings, Scarlette and Nolan.

In recent weeks, Danielle’s condition worsened after she began experiencing dangerous drops in oxygen levels and irregular heart rhythms, which led to hospitalizations at Oishei Children’s Hospital and later at Golisano Children’s Hospital. Doctors determined that her heart disease had progressed to the point that she would need a heart transplant. In the meantime, her medical team planned to adjust her medications and schedule a defibrillator surgery in an effort to stabilize her condition and delay the need for an immediate transplant. She was also placed on the donor transplant list.

Only days after learning she would require a new heart, Danielle suffered a major stroke, went into cardiac arrest, and began experiencing seizures. Emergency surgery was performed to remove a clot from her brain. The extent of any permanent brain damage remains unknown. Her family has been told that she will require three to six months of rehabilitation and therapy to recover from the stroke in addition to continued treatment for her congenital heart condition.

A GoFundMe page set up by Danielle’s aunt describes the emotional and financial toll the crisis has taken on the family, noting that Danielle is currently hospitalized and under intensive care.

“Our family is facing an unimaginable medical crisis, and we are asking for support during this overwhelming time.

Danielle is a daughter, a granddaughter, a cousin, a girlfriend, a friend who happened to be born with a complex congenital heart condition. She has already endured more than most people face in a lifetime. Recently, she suffered a major stroke, went into cardiac arrest, and required emergency surgery to remove a clot from her brain. She is currently hospitalized and under intensive care.

Despite everything, there have been signs of hope. She has opened her eyes, responded to her mom, and is able to move most of her body. We are holding onto these moments while understanding that the road ahead will be long, uncertain, and filled with ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and difficult decisions.”

The fundraiser explains that the mounting costs include ICU care, surgeries, future rehabilitation, travel expenses, and lost income as Danielle’s parents remain by her side.

“The financial burden of this crisis is already significant and continues to grow—hospitalization, ICU care, surgeries, future rehab, travel expenses, and time away from work for her parents and caregivers. We are raising funds to help relieve some of this pressure so the family can focus fully on what matters most: supporting Dee through her recovery and being present every step of the way. If you are able to donate, share, or keep Danielle in your thoughts and prayers, our family would be deeply grateful. Every act of kindness means more than we can express. Thank you for standing with us during this incredibly difficult time.

With gratitude,

Jessica & Family”

Danielle’s parents, Josh and Lindsey, have remained at her bedside around the clock while relatives and friends help care for her younger siblings. The family says they are clinging to every sign of progress as they prepare for a long and uncertain road ahead.

Those who wish to help Danielle and her family can find the link here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/hope-and-healing-for-danielles-recovery

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20-year-old Buffalo Woman Suffers Stroke, Cardiac Arrest While Awaiting Heart Transplant