When Hunter was just 5 years old, he was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease, a rare condition that causes inflammation in the blood vessels. During a routine scan three years later, doctors discovered that his left coronary artery was completely blocked—putting him at high risk for a heart attack.
Hunter needed a new heart as quickly as possible, so he and his family rushed from their home in New Mexico to Denver for specialized care.
After four months on the transplant waiting list, Hunter received his first heart. But severe complications followed, and he relied on an ECMO machine and dialysis to survive. A few months later, he underwent a second heart transplant—this time, successfully.
With his transplant behind him, Hunter and his family faced a new challenge. He needed a medically safe place to recover near the hospital while attending frequent follow-up appointments. After spending months in the hospital, they were ready for a place that felt like home.
Fortunately, Hunter and his family discovered Brent’s Place.
At Brent’s Place, they found more than just a medically safe apartment. They found comfort, stability, and a community that understood what they were going through. With chef-prepared meals and everyday responsibilities taken care of, Hunter’s family could focus entirely on helping him heal.
For Anna, Hunter’s mom, one thing stands out most: the relief of knowing her family’s basic needs were being met.
“If I needed food, there was always something to eat. It was huge—I didn’t have to stress about it,” Anna shared.
Brent’s Place also gave Hunter the chance to simply be a kid again. He celebrated his ninth birthday, played in the snow for the first time, and joined activities with other children—moments of joy that helped restore a sense of normalcy after months of hospitalization.
“He needed his own little space to recover and heal, and Brent’s Place offered him that. He got a place to heal, meet people, and just be a kid again.”
The support extended beyond the apartment itself. For Anna, the compassionate staff and other families created a sense of belonging during one of the most difficult seasons of their lives.
“It helps a lot to be surrounded by good people. And they don’t judge you. They’ve been where you are. They understand.”
Today, Hunter is back home in New Mexico and getting stronger every day. He’s running around, riding his four-wheeler, and finally enjoying life with the puppy he’d wanted for so long. And because of Brent’s Place, his family had the stability and support they needed to focus on what mattered most—Hunter’s recovery.
Support families like Hunter’s today.
