Friends, family rally for 3-year-old's 4th open heart surgery

Friends, family rally for 3-year-old's 4th open heart surgery


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LOGAN — Friends are helping a 3-year-old boy with a contagious personality prepare for his fourth open heart surgery by holding a raffle to raise money for travel costs.

Mason Johnson will be traveling to Boston with his mother for what they hope will be his last surgery. He was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome when he was only a few weeks old.

“It’s basically only half of his heart that is functioning now, so when they go to Boston they basically will fix it and make his heart a whole heart,” said family friend Brandi Babbitt, who is organizing the fundraiser.

The online raffle has a suggested donation of $1 for a chance to win items like gift cards, hand-crocheted goods, pearl earrings and even a home visit from Santa Claus donated by friends and businesses in Cache Valley.

“People literally have heard about him and decided they want to participate,” Babbitt said.

Mason's mother Molly Johnson said Babbitt took it upon herself to help the family. Johnson and her husband are both working while attending school.

“She is a good friend and she was just like ‘I’m going to do this for you, and you just do your thing and I want to help you,’ ” Johnson said. “She is just so sweet. She is in school too and she has totally just taken this on and worked so hard when she is so busy herself.”

Proceeds of the raffle will help pay for the travel, housing and food costs of Mason and his mother. Boston Children's Hospital is one of the few places offering the type of surgery Mason is undergoing, and they will be required to stay in the area for 8-12 weeks.

“With this surgery comes a lot of risks,” Babbitt said. “They actually put him basically in a coma for quite a few days after he has the surgery so they can give the heart time to heal itself and make sure it’s going to work. And then they actually have to stay in Boston for three months to be close to the hospital in case something goes awry.”

Mason had undergone two surgeries at Primary Children's Hospital in his first year of life before his family read about the different type of surgery offered in Boston in a magazine. He had his first surgery in Boston in June, when his parents and older brother came to join him for summer vacation.

The surgery is supposed to condition Mason's heart so it can become fully circulating like a normal heart.


He's just the cutest little thing you've ever seen and everyone who meets him loves him.

–Brandi Babbitt, family friend


“Even now he’s not able to run, he’s not able to play with the little kids, without getting tired and you’ll notice as he’s playing throughout the day his lips start to turn blue,” Babbitt said. “He doesn’t have the right oxygen levels because his heart isn’t pumping like a regular heart.”

Despite some physical limitations, Mason is described as an athletic boy who loves the Utah Aggies and can sing the whole fight song. He also is a fan of the Boston Red Sox because of the time he has spent there.

“If you didn’t know anything was wrong with him you would never suspect he was sick, seeing him run and play,” Johnson said.

Babbitt said those who know Mason have fallen in love with him.

“He’ll just see somebody and say ‘Hi, I’m Mason. Do you want to see my zipper?’ and he’ll show you his zipper,” Babbitt said. “He’s just the cutest little thing you’ve ever seen and everyone who meets him loves him.”

Mason's condition has provided an opportunity for people to come together, Babbitt said. She said his mother always says the way of life people are put into teaches them something.

“It can be mean, ugly, unfair, absolutely nauseating, frustrating, amazing and beautiful, but this is one of those good days where we celebrate," Babbitt said. "That’s what she always tells people; we celebrate every day the life that we’ve been given with Mason.”


*KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.</http:></http:>

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