Community Rallies For Baby Who Needs New Heart: 'We Love You All'

WADING RIVER, NY — A couple who is facing the unthinkable — their first baby, Ruby June, received a miracle heart transplant for Christmas two years ago and were told recently now, that their second child, Everett, also needs a new heart — saw their son undergo an operation this week as a community continued to rally to help.

Everett, who is called Buddy by his family, will turn a year old on December 30.

Brian Cotter said he and his wife Ashley decided on a new ventricular assist device, or VAD, than the type used with Ruby. A VAD is an implantable mechanical pump used to help those with heart failure or other issues.

"We have made decision to use a VAD called Jarvik instead of the Berlin heart," Cotter said. "It is currently in clinical trials and has only been tested in seven pediatric patients so far. It is however, very commonly used in adults and the stroke rate is significantly less compared to theBerlin in adults who have used this device."

The decision did not come lightly, Cotter said: "This is scary and uncharted territory for us since Ruby had so much success with the Berlin. But given the potential that it has to provide Buddy with a better quality of life, along with the fact of taking into consideration of our experience with the Berlin heart and that we could be contributing to significant advancements in the field on bridging patients to transplant, we felt this was the best choice for our family."

On Friday, Cotter said Buddy had been in the operating room since 7:30 a.m.. and "made his way upstairs without remaining on any additional support besides the Jarvik and breathing support. This is not only a huge milestone for Ev and our family but for advancements in ventricular assist devices. He is the 8th pediatric patient in the world to receive this device and have this procedure."

Cotter added said his family is feeling beyond grateful for their surgeons, team "and everyone who has gotten us through the last couple of days. We are hopeful he will be extubated soon so we can begin rehab until transplant. We have also received news that as of today he has been listed to receive his gift of life. Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts to everyone for all of the outpouring love and support."

To prep for the device implant Thursday, Buddy had a CT scan of his brain and then went to the catheter lab, where a balloon was inserted to open the hole between the left and right side of his heart and help the blood drain properly.

"Thank you everyone for the continued prayers, support and kind words," Cotter said. "You will never ever know the depth of appreciation we have for all of you. You have truly gotten us through the darkest of times. We love you all."

Molly Waitz, who kicked off fundraising efforts last week, said after an overwhelming show of support to help the Cotters celebrate Christmas and in efforts to collaborate and organize fundraising going forward, she asked that all donations be made to a new GoFundMe page, "Everett (Buddy) Cotter", created by Angela Albergo Houlihan to help.

"Ruby will have a sleigh full of gifts for Christmas (or maybe even many sleighs!)," Waitz said. "There is no way to possibly thank everyone who has helped and donated. Now let’s really team up and help the Cotters as the days weeks and months continue."

Neighbors have been helping in other ways, too: Ian Zuhoski of Coastal Plantings donated a full yard clean-up. "As a parent my heart breaks for them. If I can help them not worry about one more thing like cleaning up the yard for winter, I am more than happy to do that. We all need to help when we can and whatever way we can," he said.

The Cotters, whose first baby, Ruby June, received a miracle heart transplant for Christmas two years ago, were devastated by the news that their second child was facing the same medical challenges.

On Tuesday, Cotter shared the heartbreaking news on Facebook: "Earlier today after a visit to the Stony Brook emergency room, Ruby's little brother Everett (Buddy) was admitted to Columbia's cardiac pediatric intensive care unit. One room over from where Ruby lived when she was sick," he said.

"Never in a million years did we think our happy, healthy boy would be where his sister was almost two years ago. He has an enlarged heart — cardiomyopathy — same as Ruby had."
Everett, he said, was intubated and sedated.

On Wednesday, he updated a caring community who has been praying for a second miracle:

"We are broken. We did all of the tests, the scans, the checks with nothing to show. He was thriving, happy, strong. But here we are again. There are no words to describe this feeling — our sweet boy. Last night Buddy lost his pulse for four minutes. He has since been put on ECMO to support his failing heart. Once he is stabilized, he will be bridged to transplant with a Berlin heart early next week and hopefully listed within the coming days for a new heart."

December 22 will mark two years since Ruby received her life-saving heart transplant; Ruby has touched countless lives with her story of hope.

On June 12, 2019, Ashley and Brian welcomed their daughter into the world.

"The joy they experienced was unknown before that very moment. However, on September 4, 2019, less than three months later, their joy was replaced with fear, horror, and uncertainty. Ruby appeared lethargic and her body temperature was low," a GoFundMe page at the time said.

Upon calling the pediatrician, her terrified parents were told to bring Ruby directly to the emergency room at Stony Brook University Hospital. "By the time they arrived, she was blue," the page said. "Once she was stabilized, she was transported to New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. After days of testing, she was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy."

As Ruby turned a year old, her parents spoke about their greatest gift.

And now, they are facing their worst fears, for a second time, just weeks before Christmas.
Cotter added that he could not believe he was even typing the words about his son's battle.

"Please pray for our Buddy," he said. "This can't be the end of his story."