Poker Tournament Benefits Family of Baby Who Died From Heart Condition

WOODSTOCK, GA -- A poker tournament has been scheduled for Dec. 2 to help the family of a Cherokee Sheriff's Office deputy whose son passed away from complications of a cardiac disorder.

The Team Matthew poker tournament will be held Friday, Dec. 2 at Jersey's Sports Bar and Grille in Woodstock.

The suggested donation is $50 for the Texas Hold 'Em-style tournament, which will start at 7 p.m. There will also be cash prizes and a 50/50 raffle.

The fundraiser will support Will and Leslie Pauley, who on Sept. 16 welcomed twin sons, Matthew and Nicholas, into the world. Will Pauley is a deputy with the Cherokee Sheriff's Office while Leslie Pauley works as a teacher at Cherokee Charter Academy.

But doctors soon discovered a problem with Matthew’s heart called Critical Aortic Stenosis. According to the Mayo Clinic, the disorder occurs when the heart aortic valve narrows. This prevents the valve from opening fully, obstructing blood flow from the heart into the aorta and to the rest of the body.

The condition also forces the heart to work harder to pump blood to the rest of the body. This extra work can subsequently limit the amount of blood the heart can pump and weaken the heart muscle, the Mayo Clinic notes.

Despite heroic efforts from doctors at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston, Matthew passed away on Oct. 28.

Along with the fundraiser, a GoFundMe account has been created to help pay for the medical bills incurred during Matthew's treatment.

Jersey's Sports Bar & Grille is located at 6426 Bells Ferry Road. For more information about the fundraiser, visit the Facebook event created by organizers.

Images via Jason Portmann