Son of Navy OC Ivin Jasper receives heart transplant
The family of Navy offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper received some much needed good news on Monday night.
Jasper’s son, Jarren, 14, has been on the heart transplant list for months after failing a physical in August because of an abnormally fast heart rate. Complications from a surgery aimed to fix the heart rate issue left Jarren on life support for 11 days. From there, Jarren spent months in the hospital before he was strong enough to have a LVAD (left ventricular assist device) installed to pump blood through his heart as he waited for a transplant.
According to the Washington Post, the Jaspers got the call Monday night and Jarren immediately underwent surgery. Jarren’s mother, Donna, told ESPN.com Tuesday that Jarren’s “heart is in and beating on its own.” The doctor who performed the surgery “was happy with the transplant,” per ESPN.
“Blessed and thankful the Lord sent us the miracle that we’ve been waiting for,” Donna Jasper told ESPN’s Heather Dinich in a text message. “Words can’t begin to describe the level of happiness this brings to our family. Want to send a special thank you and also send out condolences to the donor family who made this miracle possible.”
Navy football SID Scott Strasemeier provided an additional update Tuesday afternoon:
Jarren Jasper Update: Jarren has bern moved to his room in the CICU where he will be closely monitored for the next 24 hours. Mom and dad are by his side. He is doing really well. Continued prayers for complete healing and total recovery.
— Scott Strasemeier (@ScottStras) January 30, 2018
The Washington Post detailed Jarren’s ordeal in an October story. Jarren initially failed a physical ahead of summer football tryouts.
Ivin and Donna Jasper’s youngest child had come in for surgery that was supposed to fix his abnormally fast heart rate. Complications were very rare, the parents were told, but Jarren’s heart swelled so much during the procedure that his coronary artery closed off, sending him into cardiac arrest. He needed to be revived on the operating table.
Less than two weeks later, the teenager would have a left ventricular assist device implanted, a mechanical pump that helps the heart deliver blood throughout the body. The LVAD is a stopgap that allows the once-vivacious boy to live at home, instead of in a hospital, while his name sits on a transplant list. He is waiting to receive a new heart.
The 2017 season was Jasper’s 18th at the Naval Academy and his tenth as offensive coordinator.
– – – – – – –
Sam Cooper is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
