Little Canon McCutcheon still greets the world with a weary smile, even as his young life has been defined by battles most will never know.
At just two years old, the St. Augustine boy was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart defect that upended his childhood entirely. For his parents, Callan and Camryn, it marked the beginning of a draining cycle of worry and hospital visits few families can fathom
The condition — known as a subaortic membrane and found in only about 1% of all heart defects — obstructs blood flow from the heart’s left ventricle, disrupting its ability to function normally.
There is only one treatment: open-heart surgery. In October 2024, Canon underwent the procedure for the first time, displaying a courage far beyond his years.
Doctors warned then that there was a 25% chance the membrane would return. Sadly, that caution has now become reality.
Canon is once again facing the same diagnosis — only this time, the obstruction is more severe, and the operation more complex.
Surgeons must also contend with scar tissue from the first surgery, heightening the risks and adding new challenges.
Through every setback, Canon’s spirit shines. His parents, Cal and Camryn, say their son is a ‘trooper’ — resilient and brave in ways that fill them with awe
Yet for the young couple, the emotional weight of watching their little boy prepare for another open-heart surgery is overwhelming.
The McCutcheons hope to have the procedure performed by a specialist in Miami, at a facility considered among the best equipped to handle cases as intricate as Canon’s.
The family expects to take at least a month off work to be by Canon’s side, exhausting their paid leave while medical bills and travel expenses continue to spiral.
To help ease the burden, loved ones have launched a GoFundMe campaign on the family’s behalf.
Donations will help cover lost income, lodging, meals, and other expenses so Canon’s parents can focus entirely on his recovery. The fundraiser has quickly become a local rallying point, drawing support from friends, neighbors and strangers moved by the toddler’s story.
More than $17,000 has been raised thus far.
Still, those closest to the McCutcheons say that while financial help is deeply appreciated, what the family treasures most are prayers and words of encouragement.
As Canon faces his second open-heart surgery in as many years, his parents are leaning on faith, hope and the strength of a community determined to see their little boy smile again.
