Matthew Campbell has one of the kindest hearts around. It just doesn't function well enough to keep him alive. The 14 year old Shreveporter is on the list at Children's Medical Center in Dallas for a heart transplant. Matthew was born with Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome. He doesn't have a right ventricle.
The medical center requires patients to live within two driving hours in order to get on the transplant list. So, Matthew and his family moved to Longview, Texas. His parents take turns commuting to Shreveport to work. Matthew said, "They're really close to me. I know they don't want to lose me. I know they love me very much and I love them so much and they're just a big part of my life."
Matthew isn't able to run and play with his friends right now. A heart transplant would change that. "I'm ready for it. I'm ready to be a normal kid."
Matthew's mother, Francine, works at Centenary College of Louisiana. Students who don't even know Matthew are working to help raise money for medical and other expenses associated with the transplant. The SGA and Campus Ministries are sponsoring a benefit concert Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at Brown Chapel. It features music from Mike's Chair of Nashville, Mark'd of Ruston and Centenary's Canaan. Tickets are $10 or $5 with any student ID. For more information, call 318-869-5156.
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