Dear friends, family, and compassionate strangers,
This has been an extraordinarily difficult year for my close friend Virgil Cain and his entire family. On January 2, Virgil tragically lost his father in the early morning hours after losing his mother 8 months prior—a profound loss that hit hard.
The deepest pain came when Virgil's 32-year-old son, Zachary (Zak), suddenly could not get out of bed or walk. What started as a mysterious condition quickly spiraled into a life-threatening medical crisis. Doctors first diagnosed neuropathy (nerve damage affecting signals between the brain, spinal cord, and body), but urgent tests revealed far more: blood clots in his arm (discovered via ultrasound after low pulse), leading to consultation with a vascular surgeon.
Tragically, Zak then suffered a stroke, with hemorrhaging on the frontal lobe, clots in his spleen, and a brain clot causing seizures. He was rushed to ICU in critical condition, transferred to a neurological ICU unit, and ultimately to Johns Hopkins for specialized care.
The challenges mounted relentlessly: multiple spinal taps (including one on January 20), plans for a feeding tube after days without eating, extensive searches for the clots' source (heart, lungs, cancer screening, infections, bacterial issues), and complications like an allergic reaction to heparin (a blood thinner) and low platelets delaying alternatives.
Most critically, the clotting issues severely damaged Zak's heart, requiring major open-heart surgery. Surgeons replaced two heart valves and repaired his mitral valve, giving him a brand new aortic valve. The January 23 surgery went well, with early signs of recuperation, but the road remains long—ongoing monitoring of brain bleeding, seizure management, clot treatment, heart function checks (including angiocardiogram), and recovery from such invasive procedures.
Amid the fear, there are touching moments: Hayley (and others) feeding Zak small bites of pot roast, mashed potatoes, and applesauce, and his favorite ice chips.
Zak is a devoted husband to his wife Haley and a loving father to their two young children: Leo (7) and Charlie (2-year-old girl) . This crisis has turned their world upside down. Virgil has been by his son's side constantly, grieving his parents while doing his best to support Haley and the grandkids. The family is overwhelmed emotionally and financially.
Medical expenses are staggering ICU stays, transfers, MRIs/spinal taps/ultrasounds, specialist consultations at Johns Hopkins, the complex heart surgery (valve replacements and repair), medications, potential rehab/therapy, and lost income from time away from work. Insurance covers some out-of-pocket costs, travel/lodging for hospital visits, household needs and support for Haley caring for two little ones are mounting fast.
We are raising funds to help ease this immense burden so the family can focus on Zak's healing:
- Covering urgent and ongoing medical bills (hospitalization, heart surgery, tests, blood thinners, ICU care, feeding support)
- Travel, lodging, for the Cain family at Johns Hopkins.
- Household expenses and childcare, so Haley can be with Zak without added worry.
- Future needs like cardiac rehabilitation, neurological follow-up, and family support during recovery.
Zak is young and determined—he is already showing progress post-surgery with his new aortic valve and repaired heart. With community help, Virgil, Haley, Leo, Charlie. Brothers Santo, Anthony and sister Andrea can navigate this storm together.
Even a small donation makes a real difference. If you cannot give right now, please share this page widely—every share brings hope and support. This is the most recent picture of his battling journey. 
