Maltby girl needing heart transplant can use help

Nine-year-old Katja de Groot from Maltby is preparing for a partial heart transplant at Duke University, necessitated by truncus arteriosus, a serious congenital heart defect. Her mother, Jennifer de Groot, sought community support after struggling to raise funds, which resulted in significant media attention and donations. The upcoming surgery aims to replace Katja’s dilated aorta with live arteries that can adapt as she grows, a critical aspect for her ongoing health. Due to the nature of her condition, which mixes oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, the urgency for the transplant has escalated. The family traveled to North Carolina on June 27, feeling reassured after securing transportation for the procedure.

They are still in need of funds for a private flight back home post-surgery, as Katja's immunocompromised status poses additional risks. Donations can be made through their GoFundMe page. Katja's journey is also chronicled on their blog, "Confessions of a Mended Heart.