JR Hearts

JR Hearts is dedicated to providing financial assistance to families and organizations with young children experiencing major medical challenges. It is a 501(c)3 organization that began in memory of a young boy who left this world too early. Jackson Gary Reese was born on Friday, April 21, 2011. In utero, Jackson was diagnosed with transposition of the great arteries, and at five days old he underwent open heart surgery at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.

After spending almost two months in the cardiac ICU, Jackson came home and was thriving. In a moment, though, everything changed. One day shy of his second birthday in 2013, Jackson left us to be with Jesus. He woke up with a fever but nothing that worried us. Before he took a second nap that day, he was happy and smiling. There was no evidence that anything serious was happening inside his little body. But he told us he was ready for a nap, so one last kiss, hug and “bye bye”. When Jackson closed his eyes for that afternoon nap, he peacefully moved to heaven.

Jackson’s medical bills as a newborn piled up quickly. Statements appeared in the mail almost daily. The cost to care for him during that time was astronomical and mind-boggling. Thankfully, insurance covered most of it, and we had little to worry about. We were blessed and grateful, and now through JR Hearts, we want to help pay that forward.

With two meanings behind its name, JR Hearts uses Jackson’s initials, but it also is the abbreviation for junior. We are remembering our son, but we are also taking care of other little hearts and families out there.

To make a tax-deductible donation, or if you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]. Donations can be mailed to JR Hearts – P.O. Box 589 – Oconomowoc, WI 53066.