10 Year Old in Marshall Waiting on Heart Transplant

There's a brave young boy in Marshall, Texas who's waiting on a heart transplant this Valentines Day. 10 year old Anthony Herman has had 9 heart surgeries since he was born and doctors say now, those surgeries won't work anymore-- Anthony needs a new heart. "He is happy, active funny... But the transplant is not something he wants to think about, talk about or even have," said Anthony's mom, Kathleen.

Anthony was born heart defect called critical aortic valve stenosis, a disease that shrinks the heart valves. His parents and two older sisters do everything they can to protect Anthony... And make sure he has a normal life. "He really can't be mixing around with other kids because if he were to get knocked down or knocked into something it could cause a rupture and it could really be lifethreatening. He feels pretty well but sometimes he gets tired. He comes home from school pretty often and he just sits on the couch and we let him have that time before he has to get up and do his homework," Kathleen said.

Anthony is lucky... Although he's at the top of the transplant waiting list he can still go to school and live at home with his family. His parent's don't have much family in the arklatex but their church has stepped up to the plate with support. This church has been what a church is supposed to be... Very supportive in way's you cannot imagine," said Anthony's dad, Ray. While they wait on a phone call that could come at any moment anthony's parents say they try and hold it together. Ray said, "Without our faith we wouldn't be able to do any of it."

Doctor's warned Anthony's parent's that his condition could lead to learning disabilities but Anthony is an Honor Roll Student in Marshall ISD.