Keven Joseph Hooper
(November 20th, 1987 – April 23rd, 2003)
Keven was born November 20th, 1987 in Lakewood California. At birth Keven was diagnosed with multiple
congenital heart defects. His condition included
Transposition of the
Great Vessels,
Tricuspid Atresia,
Pulmonary Atresia,
Hypoplastic Right Ventricle,
Hypoplastic Pulmonary Artery,
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD),
and Arterial Septal Defect(ASD). He spent his first six months at Children’s
Hospital of Orange County undergoing numerous life saving surgeries. Keven went home from Children’s
Hospital Orange County on oxygen and was in and out of the hospital with various
viruses, pneumonia and check ups. During his first 3 years, Keven had undergone five major open-heart surgeries,
which included placement of five “Shunts” in preparation for the Norwood or Fontan procedure down the road.
Keven had also developed tachycardia, which caused his heart to flutter at an uncontrolled rate.
In August of 1991, Keven once again went into tachycardia. The local Community Hospital could not
control this crisis and that set Keven directly to Loma Linda University Medical Center.
There it was determined, that for quality of life, Keven would have a better chance of survival with
a Heart Transplant. On September 12, 1991, Keven received his first Heart Transplant. Five years later,
Keven developed Coronary Artery Disease, which required a second Transplant.
Keven was re-transplanted on December 13th, 1996.
In September of 2002, at the age of 14, Keven became ill with the Epstein-Barr Virus.
Keven spent nearly three months fighting the virus and three months recovering.
March 2003, Keven was re-admitted to Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital for treatment
of the Epstein-Barr Virus and possible Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disease (PTLD).
On April 23rd, at 2:36 PM, Keven died from complications of PTLD.
Keven is survived by his parents Clint and Karen and three sisters', Kelly, and twin sister’s
Kaitlyn & Kristen. Keven’s family includes Grandparent’s, Joe and Rosabell Hooper of Jurupa
(Riverside, CA) and many Aunts’, Uncle’s and Cousin’s.
Keven was a huge sports enthusiast. At Rubidoux High School, Keven was active with both
Football and Baseball. Keven was also active with the American Heart Association (Heartwalk),
the Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities, the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital
Charities and learning to be an Ambassador for One Legacy, now Donate Life a transplant donor
network.