HAMPTON, Va. - As the nation deals with the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, a local Navy veteran and Hampton VA Medical Center employee finds himself in Richmond, fighting for his life while awaiting a heart transplant.
Tim Bammes served as a Combat Corpsman in the Navy for five years, with tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
After leaving the Navy, Bammes began working with the Veteran's Administration, first in Washington state and more recently at the Hampton VA Medical Center in the Behavioral Health Department.
On February 26th, he went to the ER after having difficult breathing and moving about. Hours later, Bammes was taken to the Coronary Critical Care Unit at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth.
It was there Bammes learned he had congestive heart failure and would need a heart transplant.
Now Bammes is at the VCU Medical Center Coronary Critical Care unit awaiting a heart. His family says he's now listed on the organ transplant registry, on a Level Two status. There are seven levels, with one as the highest.
His family is raising money to help offset rising medical costs and recovery.
You can learn more about how to help here.
