On January 22, 2021, Heather and Steve Lazeski welcomed their beautiful baby boy, James, into the world. Big sister Jade, just 2 years old, was excited to finally have a baby brother. After an uneventful pregnancy and delivery, the family returned home to Peachland, BC.
Just nine days later, everything changed. James became suddenly cold, mottled, and grey. A frantic call to 911 led to James being rushed to Kelowna General Hospital in cardiogenic shock before being airlifted to BC Children’s Hospital. Doctors discovered his heart was barely functioning. Genetic testing later revealed that both Heather and Steve carried the same rare genetic defect, which James inherited. He was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC), a life-threatening heart condition with no cure.
Over the following months, James faced repeated hospital admissions as his heart continued to struggle. Despite medications and careful monitoring, he could not remain stable for long. In July 2021, while camping as a family, Heather and Steve knew something was wrong when James became irritable and stopped eating. He was rushed back to hospital and eventually transferred to the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton to await a heart transplant.
On August 10, 2021, Heather and James endured a traumatic flight to Edmonton. James went into cardiac arrest twice — once during the flight and again in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. After arriving at the Stollery, he was placed on ECMO and received 48 minutes of chest compressions. Doctors feared severe organ and brain damage, but after days of testing, the family received incredible news: James’ brain function was intact. Though he suffered kidney failure and liver damage, he slowly recovered enough to be placed on a Berlin Heart while waiting for a transplant.
For eight long months, the Lazeski family lived away from home in Edmonton. Heather, Steve, Jade, grandparents, and extended family all worked together to survive an incredibly difficult season of life. COVID restrictions meant Jade could only visit her brother once a month. The family balanced hospital life, caring for Jade, maintaining their home in Peachland, and making heartbreaking sacrifices.
Despite being critically ill, James continued to fight with a smile. He learned to sit up, play, and charm every nurse around him.
After one heartbreaking “dry run” transplant call, James finally received his first heart transplant just days after his first birthday in January 2022. The surgery was successful, and for the first time in his life, James began to truly thrive. He became hungry, energetic, playful, and strong enough to finally return home to Peachland with his family.
For the next while, James enjoyed life at home. He learned to crawl at lightning speed, talk, play, and explore the world around him. He continued therapies and regular follow-ups while making huge developmental gains.
In December 2022, another routine pediatrician appointment changed everything again. Doctors discovered an abnormal heart rhythm, and James was rushed back to BC Children’s Hospital. During this admission, he battled RSV, blood clots, and worsening heart complications. It was later confirmed that James had developed cardiac allograft vasculopathy — a chronic form of rejection of his transplanted heart. He was relisted for another transplant.
Once again, the Lazeski family’s lives were uprooted as they faced another long and uncertain journey.
In September 2025, James received his second heart transplant. After 2.5 years of waiting, setbacks, fear, and hope. James went through the surgery requesting chocolate milk and cheese pizza soon after. And finally returning home to Peachland just before Halloween.
Today, James is a happy, energetic little boy who attends preschool. He loves kitties, his big sister, numbers, letters, and especially elevators. He keeps his family busy with his curiosity and big personality, and he is excited to start kindergarten in September of this year. Through every challenge, James has continued to show extraordinary strength, resilience, and joy — inspiring everyone who knows his story and capturing the hearts of everyone who meets him.
