KTRV Fox 12 Noah Baderman Needs a Heart
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Boise, Idaho - A Boise family is in need of a heart for their four-and-a-half year old son.
Noah Baderman was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, meaning he was born with half a heart. As his family waits for that vital organ, the community around them is pulling together to raise money to pay for necessary expenses.
"He's four-and-a-half years old. He can spell. He can read. He can write many words," said Ryan Baderman about his son, Noah.
When Noah and his twin brother, Nathan, came into the world on Oct. 6, 2001, only one of them was healthy.
"Noah has hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Basically, he was born with half a heart," said Baderman.
Not even 5 years old, the little boy has had three open-heart surgeries to repair it.
"The first one was at 11 days old, and the second was at about three months, the third at about 3 years," said Baderman.
But now he needs a heart transplant. Noah is currently staying at the Ronald McDonald House in California with his mother and three other siblings, waiting for that vital organ.
"They say three to six months is the average wait time, but the inevitable truth -- in order for our son to live another has to die, and that's kinda hard," said Baderman.
But once a heart is available, Noah will immediately undergo surgery. That's why it's important for him to be in Palo Alto, near Stanford University where the procedure will be done. While his family is hundreds of miles away, Ryan is busy holding down the fort at home. Working continuously so as to pay for his bi-monthly trips to California to visit them.
"The bills add up real quick," he said.
To help pay for some of those rising expenses, The Ram Restaurant in Meridian is holding a fundraiser next month. Noah's mother, Melinda, works there and fellow employees wanted to do what they could to help. They decided to donate all tips made July 14 to the
Noah Needs a Heart" fund.
"Noah's 4 years old. He has a lot of life to live. We're hoping to help him get there," said Brad Severeid, the executive chef at the Ram.
It's a gracious gesture that leaves the father of four without words.
"I don't think, I don't think words can say thank you," said Baderman.
You can help by going to The Ram Restaurant in Meridian on Friday, July 14. All of the tips made that day will benefit the Baderman family.
You can also make a donation at any U.S. Bank under the trust fund for Noah Baderman.
The family has also created a web site -- http://www.fox12idaho.com/Global/Link.asp?L=197036
