In a heartfelt plea that has resonated with thousands across Western New York, the father of 12-year-old Patrick has reached out to the Bills Mafia community for support as his son faces significant medical challenges. Patrick's story began with a social media post from his father who shared the news of his son's surgery in Atlanta, asking for prayers and support from fellow fans.
“Bills Mafia, we do some amazing things. Please keep my 12-year-old son Patrick in your prayers today as he has open-heart surgery in Atlanta,” John wrote, accompanied by a touching photograph of Patrick holding a homemade sign that read, “Surgeons will fix my heart, a Bills Super Bowl win will fix my dad’s heart!!!”
Patrick is a vibrant young man with a passion for sports, particularly baseball, basketball, and football, which he plays for his middle school team. He is a dedicated fan of the Buffalo Bills, Florida Gators, Atlanta Hawks, and the Sabres. Beyond sports, Patrick enjoys building with Legos, playing video games, and spending time with his older sister.
Described by his football teammates as one of the toughest kids they know, Patrick is known for his infectious smile, love for singing, and strong connection to his church family. A 7th grader in advanced classes, he is also academically gifted.
Unfortunately, Patrick faced a setback during his recovery within 48 hours of surgery requiring a second operation due to bleeding around his heart. As a result, he has had a longer stay in the ICU, but his family remains hopeful as he is reportedly trending upward and is expected to be moved out of the ICU soon.
John, who grew up in Cheektowaga and has been a lifelong Bills fan, shared his deep connection to the team, stating, “I was a season ticket holder during the Super Bowl years, and my family has had tickets for probably 40 years.” He reminisced about taking Patrick to the Tennessee game this year where they enjoyed the full tailgate experience with friends.
As Patrick continues his recovery, the community is coming together to support this incredible young man who has so much to live for and a bright future ahead. If you can, please consider helping out Patrick and his family during this challenging time. If you would like to donate, please click the GoFundMe link here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/stand-by-patrick-during-his-recovery?attribution_id=sl:e5e09d93-533a-4a38-a711-18ac9b9362d6&utm_campaign=man_ss_icons&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link
Bills Mafia Community Rallying for 12-year-old Patrick after Open-heart Surgery