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- Greg Olsen’s son has battled congenital heart disease.
- He recently found out that a heart donor is a match.
- Click HERE for more good news!
T.J. Olsen, the son of former NFL tight end Greg Olsen, is set to receive a heart transplant. T.J., who was born with a congenital heart defect, has had three open-heart surgeries and lived with a modified heart for eight years. Recently, his father shared that his heart was “reaching its end.”
Unfortunately, it seems his heart is reaching its end. We are currently working through the process to determine our next steps, which ultimately could lead to a heart transplant
— Greg Olsen (@gregolsen88) May 24, 2021
We don’t know how long we will be within these hospital walls. We do know that we are in full control of our attitudes and our outlook.
TJ has been a fighter since birth. We are going to get through this as a family and be better off as a result of this experience.
— Greg Olsen (@gregolsen88) May 24, 2021
The family’s prayers were answered eight days later and Olsen announced on Friday that a heart donor has been found for his son.
Prayers for T.J. have flooded in since Olsen’s announcement last month and Friday’s great news is what Olsen is calling “a huge step forward” with a “long road ahead.”
Olsen and his wife, Kara, have been some of the most transparent, generous people throughout their son’s difficult journey. The two began the HEARTest Yard initiative shortly after the birth of T.J. and his twin sister. The initiative raises money for less fortunate families going through crises like theirs.
In addition, the three-time Pro Bowler and his wife have donated millions of dollars to the charity and have been very active in the Charlotte community. Olsen spent most of his career with the Panthers and calls North Carolina home.
Of their many efforts, the Olsen family helped to unveil the HEARTest Yard Congenital Heart Center at Levin Children’s Hospital in December. The 25,000-foot facility houses all of the hospital’s pediatric services in one place and focuses on congenital heart disorders like T.J.’s.
While Olsen did not provide any details on the donor or timeline for his son’s transplant, it was a welcomed update. He and his family have been nothing but grace throughout the last eight years. Keep T.J. and his family in your thoughts!