03/02/2026
The last few years have been a quiet battle for our family.
What started as manageable heart issues for Darren slowly progressed into something much bigger. He continued working, continued providing, continued showing up, even when his health was declining more than most people realized.
In December, things escalated quickly. He was admitted to the hospital as his heart failure worsened. There were setbacks, complications, and one terrifying moment where he coded and had to be resuscitated. Machines took over the work his heart and lungs could no longer do. He fought through ECMO, ventilators, procedures, infections, and more uncertainty than I can put into words.
And then, we received the call.
A donor heart became available. Surgery was successful, and he is now beginning the long road of recovery with a new heart.
We are beyond grateful. Grateful to his medical team. Grateful to the donor and their family, who in the middle of unimaginable loss gave us a miracle. Grateful for the support, prayers, and steady presence of friends who have carried us through this season.
Before this most recent hospitalization, Darren had already been working toward securing his retirement through his city/parish service. With everything that has happened, completing that process has become even more important as we navigate what his long-term recovery and return to work may look like.
This fundraiser is not about hospital bills. Insurance has covered the transplant itself. It is about protecting his retirement and helping relieve some of the financial strain during recovery travel, time away from work, and the many expenses that come with major medical events.
If you feel led to give, we are deeply grateful. If you can’t, sharing means just as much.
More than anything, thank you for loving our family through this. We are hopeful. We are thankful. And we are focused on healing.
Joni
After weeks in critical care, our dear friend and US Marine Corps veteran , Darr… Joni Lowe needs your support for Darren’s Heart Transplant Recovery Fund
