1st graders sell paper hearts to help classmate in need of heart transplant

• Seven-year-old Lamere Johnson has a heart condition and he requires a new heart.
• Classmates, schoolmates, and school officials are raising funds by selling paper hearts to contribute to his transplant.
• Each paper heart costs a dollar and your name will be written on the paper heart if you donate.

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From the hearts of students of Johnston Elementary School, they sell paper hearts to fund first-grade student Lamere Johnson’s heart transplant.

What a hearty story. 

Lamere Johnson was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome while still in his mother’s womb. The left side of his heart did not form properly as the blow flood flow to his heart is abnormal.

His mother, Contessa Culbreath said that by the time Lamere was 3 years old, he already had three open heart surgeries.  Doctors have recommended a new heart.

Culbreath said that the heart may come today, next year, next week, or next month. She added, “Lamere has been excited since he found out he’s going to get a new heart. Me as his mom, I cry, I’m upset. He said, ‘Mom, I’m going to get a new heart so I can play football.’”

While waiting for a transplant, Lamere attends school at the Johnston Elementary School in Johnston, South Carolina.  He wears a special backpack that has an IV that keeps his heart valves open.

His classmates, schoolmates, and school officials are backing him up by helping raise funds for his transplant.

Johnston Elementary School Pre-K assistant, Makinzie Corley, helped launch the students’ special project for Lamere.

Corley said, “We wanted to get our kids involved and, at the same time, give back to Lamere and his family, because they’re so precious to us. As a community and as a school, we want to make sure that this family is prepared for when the doctor calls and says, ‘Hey, we’ve got a heart for him.’”

Two hundred to 400 paper hearts are cut every day. You name will be written on the heart when you donate to the fund.  Every morning, the fifth graders sell them for a $1 around the school.  Starting from Lamere’s room door to the fifth-grade classroom, the hallways are filled with the hearts.

All the proceeds go directly to Lamere’s account at the Children’s Organ Transplant Association.  Included in expenses are travel, food, and other needs.

The good news is that it is not just the grade schoolers who are contributing to the heart for Lamere fund.  Even the local middle and high schools are on it!  And so far, roughly $2,000 have been raised.

For a heartwarming effort, Culbreath has nothing but a grateful heart for the community’s generosity and kindness. 

Source: Good Morning America