Welcome to the new Wyatt’s Warriors Foundation website!
Meet Wyatt Mercer Shipe
Wyatt was born via planned C-section at 40 weeks on July 8, 2015, to Jennifer and Brian Shipe. All of Jen’s prenatal care suggested that she would be giving birth to a healthy baby boy.
However, upon his arrival, Wyatt was diagnosed with Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) and quickly transferred to Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C.
To say this was a shock to the Shipe family would be an understatement. However, they were grateful for the compassion, care, and expertise of Wyatt’s medical team — doctors and nurses who worked day and night to give Wyatt the best chance at life. It was evident they truly loved Wyatt.
Wyatt underwent open heart surgery on July 22, 2015, and unfortunately there were complications. In the end, his heart was fixed, but those complications caused an infection, and he went home peacefully.
It simply was not in God’s plan for Wyatt to stay here past August 21, 2015.
Over 10 years later: A legacy worthy of our boy
Wyatt’s mom Jen says this about her Little Warrior:
I couldn’t be more proud to be his Mom, or more thankful that God chose me, and allowed me those weeks with my precious boy. Losing him is something I’ll never fully understand, but I want to use my grief and knowledge of the process to help other families.
Wyatt’s brief life has grown into something so much bigger than the Shipe family could have imagined.
Thank you for being part of his story — and for making sure it lives on with us!
Wyatt's memory lives on every day!
Because of Wyatt, hundreds of families have been…
Provided
Warrior Care Bags filled with thoughtful items to support them and their baby during medical treatment
Connected
to a community of families who understand what they’re going through and are here to listen and comfort
Supported
to get their family through the financial, emotional, and logistical challenges of infant medical care
Want to help families of children like Wyatt?
More about congenital heart defects (CHDs)
How common are congenital heart defects?
Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect, affecting about 1 in 100 babies. Many of these defects are minor and may not need treatment, while others are more serious. Many babies with heart defects do survive into adulthood and will work to manage their condition throughout their lifetime.
Wyatt had Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA). What is that?
TGA is a serious heart defect where the two main arteries leaving the heart are switched from their normal positions. This means oxygen-rich blood circulates back to the lungs instead of going to the body, and oxygen-poor blood goes to the body instead of the lungs. Babies with TGA need surgery in the first weeks of life to correct the problem.
How do you support Heart Parents?
Any family being transferred from TidalHealth Salisbury to a larger hospital for specialized infant care receives a Warrior Care Bag during their transfer. In addition, we provide bags to families as needed at Children’s National Medical Center.
What is a congenital heart defect (CHD)?
A congenital heart defect is a problem with the heart’s structure that a baby is born with. These defects can affect the heart’s walls, valves, or blood vessels. They range from simple problems that cause no symptoms to complex issues that require immediate treatment.
How can I get involved and help out?
We’d love your support! The most impactful way to support Wyatt’s Warriors Foundation is to donate. We also gratefully accept new items ordered from our Amazon wishlist, which are used to fill our Warrior Care Bags.
Are you a local business here in Salisbury or nearby? Then consider sponsoring one of our events! Contact us to learn more.