Spencer had trouble breathing soon after he was born. At his birth hospital in Vermont, doctors thought he had fluid in his lungs. When 2 days passed without improvement, it was clear something else was wrong. Doctors did an echocardiogram, or ultrasound of the heart. There was a small, hard-to-see spot. Doctors weren’t sure how serious it was, so Spencer went home and his parents planned to follow up with a local cardiologist.
Spencer comes to Boston
Spencer had no symptoms for weeks. Then, one day, he started breathing rapidly. His parents took him to a cardiologist, who had bad news: Spencer’s heart was failing. This hospital didn’t have the resources for a condition as severe as Spencer’s, so he was rushed by helicopter to Boston Children’s. Patients come to Boston Children’s from all 50 states and nearly 100 countries for care they can’t find anywhere else. Here, he was taken to the ICU, and doctors told Spencer’s parents the shocking news: Spencer needed a heart transplant.
A long wait
Spencer went home on medications, but soon after, he started having symptoms again. After a trip to another emergency department, Spencer returned to Boston Children’s. Since medications weren’t stabilizing him at home, Spencer needed to stay in the hospital. Here, he received IV infusions to help with his heart, and he needed to be intubated to help with his breathing. Spencer lived at Boston Children’s for 9 months.
Strong support
During Spencer’s stay, music and speech therapy helped him stay active and engaged. Affordable patient family housing helped Spencer’s family stay together and close by. And Spencer’s team of doctors and nurses helped his parents feel supported and taken care of, every step of the way.
They cared about Spencer like he was family.
Spencer's mom, Shannon
After months of waiting, Spencer matched with a heart donor and in July 2025, he got his new heart. His parents are so grateful for the lifesaving care their son received.
Today, Spencer is thriving and growing stronger. He’s home healthy and smiling, which made him a perfect face to represent Vermont in Give A Smile, a campaign where customers can donate to Boston Children’s at Shaw’s and Star Markets across New England.
Spencer will be 2 this summer. He loves interactive books and listening to music. His new heart makes a healthy future possible. To pay it forward his family enrolled him in a research study to help more kids like him get a second chance.
