An EVENT to Benefit The HeartBrothers
HOSTED BY MIKE O'BRIEN
We extend Our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended and contributed to this first annual event.
through the generosity of MIKE & JENN O'Brien and their community of family and friends, wE
for heart failure patients. This marks our organization's highest event NEt proceeds to date.
Special thanks to Leo Keka, owner of Alba on 52, for his support and to the Dondero sisters for their amazing work on the auctions and raffles.
To the O'Briens: your immense contribution is truly appreciated, and we cannot thank you enough.
raised $55,000+
ABOUT THE EVENT:
This special event—hosted by Mike O'Brien, a dedicated 26-year Quincy police officer and U.S. Marine Veteran—and his wife Jenn was held Sunday, February 4, 2024, to benefit The HeartBrothers.
A symbol of resilience and hope, Mike faced cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure in 2015, navigated the late stages of advanced Heart Failure in 2023, and became the 42nd heart transplant recipient at Tufts Medical Center in Boston that same year.
With unwavering support from family, friends, and The HeartBrothers, Mike has triumphed over adversity. In a huge show of gratitude, he is hosting this special event to benefit The HeartBrothers and to raise awareness for Heart Failure, heart transplants, and organ donation.
This inspiring evening celebrated Mike's courage and strength while supporting a cause close to his heart. Event details are below.
1st Annual:
Sunday, February 4, 2024
2:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Alba on 53
2053 Washington St | Hanover, MA 02339
2nd Annual:
SUNday, February 2, 2025
*SAVE THE DATE*
ALBA RESTAURANT
1486 Hancock St | Quincy, MA 02169
MY STORY
by Mike O'Brien
I am a U.S. Marine Veteran and a 26-year Quincy police officer, serving on the Special Operations Unit and SWAT Team. More importantly, I am a husband to my wife, Jenn, and a father of three daughters: Madison (21), Courtney (20), and Payton (12).
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In 2015, at the age of 42, I was rushed to a local hospital for work training. Quickly transferred to Tufts Medical Center, I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. The difficult diagnosis, caused by a strain of coxsackie, impacted my life until Spring 2023.
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In April 2023, returning from New York police training, I was diverted to Tufts for cardiac symptoms, marking the start of multiple hospital stays until July. In August, my heart could no longer keep up, and an Impella heart pump was implanted on August 23rd. On August 25th, activated on the heart transplant list, and I became the 42nd recipient of 2023 at Tufts.
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I returned home on September 20th, escorted by fellow officers. Since then, I've grown stronger daily, blessed to watch my family thrive. Despite challenges, each day is a blessing.
Throughout my numerous hospital stays and the entire heart failure and transplant process, my family and I have been fortunate to meet some of the most compassionate, dedicated, and caring medical staff at Tufts. They saved my life. During my stay at Tufts, I was introduced to the HeartBrothers Foundation. They provided me with a support system that I routinely benefit from and now I'd like to contribute to them...
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The HeartBrothers Foundation has been a significant support to myself, my wife, and our girls. From webinars to support groups and connecting with other transplant recipients and their families, the HeartBrothers gives us much-needed comfort. I signed up to be a HeartBrothers Ambassador and am hosting this fundraiser to give back and raise awareness for everyone experiencing heart failure, receiving heart transplants, and organ donors worldwide.