Hi, my name’s Shawn Holster, and I need your help. I’ve recently been diagnosed with a life-threatening condition called aortic dissection, and I urgently need surgery to survive. An aortic dissection occurs when there’s a tear in the inner layer of the aorta—the large artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. When this inner layer tears, blood surges between the layers of the aortic wall, forcing them apart. It’s incredibly dangerous because if the dissection ruptures through the outer wall, it can cause sudden internal bleeding and death. The pain can be intense, often described as a sharp, tearing sensation in the chest or back. I experienced this firsthand—it sent me to the ER thinking I was having a heart attack. I’m currently unable to work while undergoing constant monitoring, imaging, and medications to manage my blood pressure. The recommended life-saving treatment is emergency open-heart surgery to repair the tear and reinforce the damaged section of my aorta. Without it, I’m at serious risk of complete rupture. Unfortunately, even with insurance, the costs are overwhelming—hospital stays, surgical fees, post-op care, and months of recovery. I’ve always been independent, but I can’t do this alone. Any donation, no matter the size, would mean the world to me and help me get the surgery I need to stay alive. If you can’t give, sharing this with others would be a tremendous help. Thank you for reading, and for standing by me in the fight of my life.