Bexar County Firefighters Rally Behind Colleague's Baby Awaiting Heart Transplant

Firefighter's 7-month-old daughter faces ongoing medical complications as family leans on department for support.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:25am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A translucent X-ray photograph showing the intricate internal structure of a small human heart, glowing ghostly against a dark background, conceptually representing the medical challenges faced by a young child awaiting a heart transplant.An X-ray image of a young child's heart reveals the fragility and resilience of a critical organ awaiting a life-saving transplant.San Antonio Today

A Bexar County ESD 11 firefighter is relying on his department for support as his 7-month-old daughter, Lainey, fights for her life while awaiting a heart transplant. Lainey was born premature and has undergone two open-heart surgeries, currently being treated at Dell Children's Medical Center in Austin and connected to a device to help her heart pump blood. Her mother has remained by her side in the hospital since November, while the firefighter commutes between San Antonio and Austin to balance time with his family and his duties. Jessamine's colleagues are standing behind him and the family, hosting a barbecue plate sale to raise money for Lainey's medical expenses.

Why it matters

This story highlights the challenges faced by families with critically ill children, the importance of community support, and the dedication of first responders who go above and beyond for their own. It also sheds light on the urgent need for pediatric organ donors and the difficulties in finding suitable matches for young patients.

The details

Firefighter Tyler Jessamine and his wife, Alyssa, welcomed their daughter Lainey about seven months ago. Since then, the infant has undergone two open-heart surgeries and faces ongoing medical complications. Lainey was born six weeks premature and later developed heart failure and dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart's left ventricle becomes enlarged and struggles to pump blood effectively. She is currently being treated at Dell Children's Medical Center in Austin, where she is connected to a device that helps her heart pump blood. In January, she was officially placed on the pediatric heart transplant list.

  • Lainey was born about seven months ago.
  • Lainey has undergone two open-heart surgeries since birth.
  • Lainey was placed on the pediatric heart transplant list in January.

The players

Tyler Jessamine

A Bexar County ESD 11 firefighter whose 7-month-old daughter, Lainey, is awaiting a heart transplant.

Alyssa Jessamine

Tyler Jessamine's wife, who has remained by Lainey's side in the hospital since November.

Lainey Jessamine

The 7-month-old daughter of Tyler and Alyssa Jessamine, who is awaiting a heart transplant at Dell Children's Medical Center in Austin.

Bexar County ESD 11

The fire department where Tyler Jessamine works, which is supporting the family during this difficult time.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“There's nothing really I can do, but I try to put that into helping other people in hopes we get some of that karma back one day.”

— Tyler Jessamine, Firefighter

“My wife has been in the hospital every single day for her. She's my hero, along with my daughter.”

— Tyler Jessamine, Firefighter

“He's one of ours. She's all of our niece.”

— Bexar County ESD 11 Firefighter

What’s next

Doctors said Lainey will not be able to go home until a suitable donor heart is found. The Bexar County ESD 11 fire department is hosting a barbecue plate sale on Saturday to raise money for Lainey's medical expenses.

The takeaway

This story highlights the power of community support and the dedication of first responders who go above and beyond for their own. It also underscores the urgent need for more pediatric organ donors to help critically ill children like Lainey receive the lifesaving care they need.