LINDON, UT / AGILITYPR.NEWS / June 01, 2026 / A massive community yard sale, volunteer effort, and wave of local support is helping the Lunceford family navigate Jaxson’s recovery from his emergency heart transplant

At just 36 hours old, baby Jaxson Lunceford was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a serious and progressive condition that causes the heart muscle to become dangerously thick and eventually can lead to heart failure. Because of the severity of his condition, Jaxson and his family knew he would one day need a heart transplant.

In many cases, the progression toward transplant can take years, with many patients relying on lifestyle management techniques and/or a pacemaker while they gradually prepare for more advanced treatment options — such as open-heart surgery and heart transplantation.

While at a routine appointment in March this year, Jaxson’s doctors determined that although there was no immediate emergency, it was time to begin conversations about a future transplant. His condition was progressing past the point where his pacemaker could provide long term stability.

“We have been preparing for his heart transplant for 22 years – but it still came as a shock,” said Jaxson’s mother, Lindon-based Britani Lunceford. “We were thinking it would be a year-long process, but Jaxson’s condition escalated with unusual speed. A few days later, he went into immediate heart failure and was rushed to the ER.”

In the ER, Jaxson underwent four open-heart surgeries in a single week to stabilize his rapidly deteriorating condition. His body was starting to shut down and circumstances became extremely critical. Amazingly, just 72 hours after his doctors at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah placed him on the transplant waitlist at the most critical status level, Jaxson received a viable donor heart.

“It was very surprising. We cried very happy tears,” Britani said. “But of course, I immediately thought about the donor’s grieving family.”

THE DONOR HEART

“I was crying because I was afraid my kid wasn’t going to make it, while the donor’s mom and other loved ones were probably crying because her kid didn’t make it,” said Britani, recalling the moment she learned the doctors found a viable donor heart. “But thankfully for us, the donor had the foresight to express their wish to be an organ donor in advance of their critical condition.”

Receiving a donor heart isn’t always the light at the end of the tunnel for transplant patients, as many life-threatening complications, such as transplant rejection, may arise. Even in successful operations, families and caregivers are face-to-face with the reality of losing their loved ones.

For Britani and her family, this experience has reinforced their perspectives on organ donation and the profound connection between donor families and recipients, though they don’t typically get to meet each other. To the donor and their family, Britani would like to say: “Thank you for choosing to be a donor, and the life-giving gift that this is to our dear Jaxson.”

THE REALITY OF HEART TRANSPLANTS AND LONG TERM CARE

Every patient is different and every situation is unique. According to the American Society of Transplantation, caregivers need to prepare for anything. Not only is there no such thing as a “typical recovery timeline” for heart transplant patients, but there is also no guarantee of a return to good health at all.

Survival rates of heart transplants in adults begin strong at ~90% within the first year, but steadily decrease to ~55% at the 10-year mark. On average, a transplant only lasts 10 years, meaning many patients will require more than one transplant throughout their lifetime.

“Knowing that Jax will need a new heart and have to go through this again is a very daunting thought,” explained Britani. “He miraculously received a heart this time, but what are the chances he gets a second, third, or fourth heart just to live a normal life expectancy?”

Jaxson’s path to recovery has been an emotional rollercoaster for Jaxson, Britani and the rest of the Lunceford family. Britani recalled the moment when Jaxson took longer than expected to wake up from surgery, initially puzzling his team of cardiologists and worrying his family. In addition, no mother wants to hear that doctors are leaving her child hooked up to machines with his chest wide open for several days — even if it is a standard practice to reduce swelling and monitor progress.

“His whole lifetime of problems caught up with him over the past three months,” said Britani. “But every day that I got to go see Jaxson at the hospital was a good day.”

A NEW CHAPTER AFTER YEARS OF MEDICAL UNCERTAINTY

Fortunately, Jaxson is now recovering from his transplant and beginning a new chapter in life, one his family hopes will bring stability and fulfillment. For instance: “Jaxson’s never really been able to travel,” Britani shared. “Now, with his new heart and improved health, we hope he can experience activities and opportunities that were once unrealistic, and even impossible for him.”

Known by family and friends as thoughtful, easy-going, intelligent and witty, Jaxson graduated from Pleasant Grove High School while completing two years of electrical coursework through MTECH. Despite living much of his life with severe fatigue, medical limitations and implanted cardiac devices, his family says he remained hopeful and level-headed throughout his journey.

“He was my easiest kid,” Britani said. “So kind, so sweet, very thoughtful, very mellow.”

HOW THE COMMUNITY IS HELPING

While Jaxson and the rest of the Lunceford family continue adjusting to life after transplant, the surrounding community has quickly mobilized to help, with a large community yard sale fundraiser on Friday, June 5th and Saturday, June 6th in Lindon. Anyone interested in participating is welcome to drop by to say hello, meet Jaxson, and peruse donated items. All proceeds will be used to offset the family’s financial burden.

Family members, neighbors, local students, and volunteers have spent weeks collecting and organizing donations from across Utah County. A wide range of donations are appreciated, including clothing and furniture, vehicles, professional services (such as landscaping), recreational equipment, and more. See below for more details.

The Lunceford family will accept donation drop offs throughout the sale, and are offering to pick up items until Thursday, June 4th.

“The Pleasant Grove High School football team is going to come and unload everything for us,” Britani said. “We have trailers and boys with muscles who are ready to help.”

The yard sale has evolved into somewhat of a community-wide tradition for families in Lindon. In fact, the Luncefords participated in organizing a yard sale to raise money for a local family battling cancer a few years ago. Now their community is rallying around them in the same way.

“We are working together to raise money for Jax,” said Britani, fervently assuring that her family prefers to earn their money, rather than accept handouts.

As Jaxson continues recovering, the family hopes his story not only encourages community support, but also inspires more conversations around organ donation, chronic illness and the invisible realities many families quietly navigate every day.

YARD SALE AND DONATION DETAILS

For more information, including photos of Jaxson with his family, the Venmo QR code and Yard Sale flyer, click here.

Yard Sale for Jax:

• Friday and Saturday, June 5th–6th, daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Location: 222 South 400 West, Lindon, UT

Yard sale donations:

• Donation pick up available until Thursday, June 4th
• Donated items may be dropped off until Saturday, June 6th
• Orem Drop Off Location: 101 W 220 S Orem, UT
• Lindon Drop Off Location: 222 S 400 W Lindon, UT
• Contact: Mckinzie Peterson, 801-473-1103

Accepted Items:

The Lunceford family is open to all sorts of donations and contributions, but kindly asks that items are in good or better condition. If applicable, items must be functional and not in need of repairs or maintenance (unless otherwise specified).

• Clothing, shoes, and accessories
• Furniture or household items
• Functional vehicles, vehicle accessories, or parts
• Recreational equipment
• Antiques or collectibles
• Trade services (i.e. landscaping, handyman services, mechanic services, etc.)

OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT

Although the Lunceford family feels strongly about working hard to earn the money needed to support Jaxson through this difficult time, those who want to contribute but cannot donate items or attend the yard sale still have options:

• Spread the word to local family members, friends, and colleagues
• Sign up to be an organ donor, and encourage others to do the same
• Donate to @HeartForJaxson, a special Venmo account set up by Jaxson’s aunt, Mckinzie Peterson

QUICK FACTS ABOUT HCM & HEART TRANSPLANTS

• HCM is one of the most common inherited heart diseases and can increase the risk of heart failure and sudden cardiac arrest (American Heart Association)
• A heart transplant can cost over $1 million, factoring in surgery, hospitalization, medications, and long-term care. (Milliman)
• Patients must take immunosuppressive medications for the rest of their lives after receiving a donor heart to prevent transplant rejection. This may leave them more susceptible to future illnesses and conditions (Yale Medicine)
• Many of the 3,800 people currently waitlisted for a donor heart in the U.S. will wait more than six months (Yale Medicine)
• Survival rates are 90% within one year, but steadily decrease over time, with a 55% survival rate at the 10 year mark, meaning many patients will require multiple transplants throughout their lives (Yale Medicine)

MEDIA INFORMATION

Impact Communications, Inc. is providing pro bono public relations support to assist the Lunceford family and to raise awareness about the life-saving gift of organ donation.

“Choosing to become an organ donor is one of the most generous decisions a person can make,” said Marie Swift, CEO and founder of Impact Communications. “It takes only a moment — often just a simple check of a box when renewing your driver’s license — but that small act can give someone else a second chance at life. In the face of loss, it is a way to create hope, healing, and a lasting legacy for others.”

Media interested in covering this as a human-interest story may reach out to:

Lexi Vassilaros

Impact Communications, Inc.

(949) 560-7117

LexiVassilaros@ImpactCommunications.org