Hunter Rael, an 8-year-old boy from New Mexico, has received a new heart after experiencing Kawasaki disease, a rare illness that causes inflammation of the blood vessels and serious heart issues.Hunter’s family received a life-changing phone call on Tuesday, informing them that a new heart was available for him. “We were in shock. We were a mix of emotions. We were crying,” Anna Moya, his mother, said.The news comes right around Hunter’s three-year anniversary of his Kawasaki disease diagnosis. On Nov. 1, 2022, Hunter was diagnosed with the rare illness. It primarily affects young children and causes inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body, but in Hunter’s case, it caused serious heart issues.According to the Mayo Clinic, Kawasaki disease most often affects the heart arteries in children. Kids with the illness sometimes have a high fever, swollen hands and feet with skin peeling, red eyes, and tongue. The Mayo Clinic reports that with early treatment, most children get better and have no long-lasting symptoms. On Tuesday, Hunter just got back to New Mexico after traveling to Colorado for a checkup at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Around 11 that morning, he received a phone call he’s been waiting for. “You need to come back. We found Hunter a heart, and it’s go time,” said Moya. He and his mom immediately got on a plane and headed to Colorado.At 5 a.m. Wednesday, Hunter underwent surgery. Cell phone video shared by his family shows the 8-year-old being wheeled back to surgery as he listens to his favorite artist, Jelly Roll. Hunter said Jelly Roll’s music helps keep him calm and gets him through tough times.In October, Hunter got a surprise package from Jelly Roll’s team. It included some gifts and a signed album. According to Hunter, meeting the artist would be a dream come true.Doctors found a bleed flooding the transplant, but were able to fix it. Hunter’s family says right now, Hunter is in stable condition after having a rough night.As of Thursday, Hunter was on an ECMO machine to allow his heart and lungs to rest and heal. His family told sister station KOAT that things are looking good, but it’s going to take some time to see how his body adjusts to the new heart.”They’re slowly starting to kind of wake him up off the sedation. He’ll probably be on that for a few more days. Then we’ll probably have more like of an understanding, make sure everything’s going good, no brain damage, because he’s had a hard hit,” said Moya. “It’s really affecting his body. He’s kind of swollen right now, and they’re trying just to get everything under control.”Hunter and his family want to thank everyone who’s reached out and has been following his journey. “We appreciate all the prayers. Just keep rooting for him. Just keep praying,” said Moya. ‘”As soon as I’m able to show you guys his beautiful face and he’s awake, I will, I will do that … we’ll get him singing Jelly Roll again and we’re going to get there. It’s just going to take time.”
Hunter Rael, an 8-year-old boy from New Mexico, has received a new heart after experiencing Kawasaki disease, a rare illness that causes inflammation of the blood vessels and serious heart issues.
Hunter’s family received a life-changing phone call on Tuesday, informing them that a new heart was available for him.
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“We were in shock. We were a mix of emotions. We were crying,” Anna Moya, his mother, said.
The news comes right around Hunter’s three-year anniversary of his Kawasaki disease diagnosis. On Nov. 1, 2022, Hunter was diagnosed with the rare illness. It primarily affects young children and causes inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body, but in Hunter’s case, it caused serious heart issues.
According to the Mayo Clinic, Kawasaki disease most often affects the heart arteries in children. Kids with the illness sometimes have a high fever, swollen hands and feet with skin peeling, red eyes, and tongue. The Mayo Clinic reports that with early treatment, most children get better and have no long-lasting symptoms.
On Tuesday, Hunter just got back to New Mexico after traveling to Colorado for a checkup at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Around 11 that morning, he received a phone call he’s been waiting for.
“You need to come back. We found Hunter a heart, and it’s go time,” said Moya.
He and his mom immediately got on a plane and headed to Colorado.
At 5 a.m. Wednesday, Hunter underwent surgery. Cell phone video shared by his family shows the 8-year-old being wheeled back to surgery as he listens to his favorite artist, Jelly Roll. Hunter said Jelly Roll’s music helps keep him calm and gets him through tough times.
In October, Hunter got a surprise package from Jelly Roll’s team. It included some gifts and a signed album. According to Hunter, meeting the artist would be a dream come true.
Doctors found a bleed flooding the transplant, but were able to fix it. Hunter’s family says right now, Hunter is in stable condition after having a rough night.
As of Thursday, Hunter was on an ECMO machine to allow his heart and lungs to rest and heal. His family told sister station KOAT that things are looking good, but it’s going to take some time to see how his body adjusts to the new heart.
“They’re slowly starting to kind of wake him up off the sedation. He’ll probably be on that for a few more days. Then we’ll probably have more like of an understanding, make sure everything’s going good, no brain damage, because he’s had a hard hit,” said Moya. “It’s really affecting his body. He’s kind of swollen right now, and they’re trying just to get everything under control.”
Hunter and his family want to thank everyone who’s reached out and has been following his journey.
“We appreciate all the prayers. Just keep rooting for him. Just keep praying,” said Moya. ‘”As soon as I’m able to show you guys his beautiful face and he’s awake, I will, I will do that … we’ll get him singing Jelly Roll again and we’re going to get there. It’s just going to take time.”
