“What did I do wrong?” The question echoed in the heart of seventeen-year-old Wes Johnson after a conversation that would forever alter his life. His mother, Jennah, had gently delivered the news: he was no longer a candidate for a heart transplant.
Wes was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a condition that meant his heart’s left ventricle couldn’t adequately pump blood. He’d faced years of surgeries, a feeding tube, and the constant reliance on supplemental oxygen, yet remained remarkably resilient.
The family had first explored the possibility of a transplant when Wes was just five, but his condition improved, and they returned home. Ten years later, the need resurfaced, bringing with it a renewed wave of hope and anxiety.
Three years were spent in a state of perpetual waiting, living in Toronto and relying on the kindness of Ronald McDonald House, always within reach of SickKids hospital. Every ring of the phone held the potential for life-altering news, a promise that ultimately went unfulfilled.
Despite the immense physical and emotional toll, Wes persevered, graduating high school with honors through a dedicated blend of homeschooling and classroom learning. His spirit remained unbroken, even as time slipped away.
The reason a matching heart didn’t arrive is a heartbreakingly complex one. Finding a perfect match isn’t simply a matter of availability; it’s a convergence of incredibly rare circumstances, a near-impossible alignment of medical factors.
Initially given a prognosis of a year, Wes’s time has now been tragically shortened to mere weeks. His family is now focused on creating precious final memories, a celebration of a life lived with courage and grace.
Next Saturday, February 21st, the Johnson family will host a “living celebration of life” for Wes, a chance for the community to share their love and appreciation. They ask attendees to wear Blue Jays gear, a tribute to Wes’s unwavering passion for the team.
Knowing he likely won’t see the start of the baseball season, a family friend has arranged for Wes to attend a Blue Jays spring training game in Dunedin, Florida on March 10th. It’s a beacon of hope, a final wish they are determined to fulfill.
The outpouring of support from the St. Thomas community has been overwhelming, with a GoFundMe campaign raising $10,000 in just 48 hours. It’s a testament to the impact Wes has had on those around him.
Jennah Johnson hopes the celebration will also raise awareness about the critical need for organ donation. She urges everyone to discuss their wishes with their families, emphasizing the profound gift of life that donation offers.
“We’re waiting for someone else to have a tragedy – and we’re not,” Jennah explained, her voice filled with emotion. “We’re asking families to consider turning their worst day into an opportunity to give life to another, to spare another mother from hearing those devastating words: ‘There is nothing else we can do.’”
The celebration of life is open to all, a chance to honor a young man who faced unimaginable challenges with unwavering strength and a hopeful heart.
