Young man suffering from terminal heart condition seeks assistance

Francisco “Cisco” Aispuro was born with a terminal heart condition which will eventually result in the need of a heart transplant.

At the age of 13, doctors diagnosed him with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition that runs in his family.

His father passed from complications due to the same heart condition. He had just turned 27. Cisco was 9 years old at the time and his brother Danny was only 5. Their brother Arley was 7 years old at the time. He also has the condition.

“The only solution is a heart transplant,” his mother Darci Peralta said.

Aispuro's grandmother and several aunts, uncles and cousins also struggle with the disease. Some have already received new hearts; others are on the waiting list.

Aispuro, however, has to wait until his heart deteriorates enough to qualify for a new heart.

“We have no way of knowing how soon that time will come since, with this condition, his heart can stop with no warning signs whatsoever,” Peralta said.

“He's real strong. Sure, it makes him nervous, but he tries to stay positive,” Peralta noted.

Aispuro said that no “matter what, the disease will run its course. Whatever happens, happens. I don't let it drag me down.”

Looking back to when he was diagnosed at 13, Aispuro says he didn't really understand what it meant. He was upset because he couldn't play sports in school and frustrated because he wasn't allowed to ride a bike with his friends.

The 21-year-old Yuma High School graduate couldn't play sports in school, although he occasionally he plays a game of basketball with family and friends. But he can't workout or lift anything more than 25 pounds.

“It sucks because I love sports and being active,” Aispuro said.

He prays that the disease won't get worse.

Aispuro should have his heart checked out every six months. But when Aispuro turned 18, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System cut his insurance coverage. As an adult with no children, he no longer qualified for the program.

It's been three years since he had his heart checked. He can't afford the checkups, which include EKGs, echograms and other pricey exams, which would cost a minimum of $3,000.

He's been working at a local audio store, which he's passionate about music, trying to save up enough money to go to the Scottsdale specialist. But it's hard with a minimum wage job.

He buys his medication in Mexico, but it hasn't been adjusted in three years.

Looking for a solution, his mother decided to start fundraising to help cover these costs. She wants him to get the medical attention he needs before it progresses to the next level.

Peralta, a supervisor at a third-party MVD office in Yuma, has been organizing car washes, yard sales, selling T-shirts and hosting restaurant takeovers.

“Since we know that this condition will at some point result in the need of a heart transplant, at least in this family's case, any monies raised that exceed the cost of current medical bills and those to incur in the near future, will remain in the saving account to make sure that we are able to cover the cost of the transplant when that time comes,” Peralta explained on the website.

The next takeover is Tuesday and Wednesday at the Texas Roadhouse, 594 E. 16th St. Between 3-9 p.m., the restaurant will donate 10 percent of the total food purchase when customers mention “Heart of Cisco.”

Peralta has also set up a fundraising account at Indiegogo.com/HeartOfCisco.

The fundraising website allows them to keep whatever they raise minus 9 percent should they not reach their $25,000 goal. If they do reach their goal, they will be charged only 4 percent.

“Even though the cost of a heart transplant is well over $500,000, I did not set my goal anywhere near that amount,” Peralta said.

The campaign runs through the end of April.

“I am praying that we can raise enough to cover the costs for current medical expenses and with your help, raise over our goal to cover future medical costs,” she said on the website.

In addition, an account has been set up at Bank of America. Donations can be made to account number 457022669072 at any branch.

Family and friends are also selling pre-ordered T-shirts. For more information, contact Peralta at (928) 919-5031 or Johneesbabe@yahoo.com, Tonya Tacker at (928) 503-4328 or Ttacker@alside.com, or Luz Martinez at (928) 388-9944 or Lucyluz_martinez@yahoo.com.

Peralta says she will do anything she can to save her son.

“He's a really good kid,” she said.

He also enjoys riding quads, camping with family and spending time with his brothers and fiancee, Luz Martinez.

Aispuro is appreciative of the support he has received from family, friends and even complete strangers.

“You can definitely feel the support,” he said.

For more information or to follow Aispuro's journey, go to www.facebook.com/Heartofcisco.

Mara Knaub can be reached at mknaub@yumasun.com or (928) 539-6856. Find her on Facebook at Facebook.com/YSMaraKnaub or on Twitter at @YSMaraKnaub.