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Benefit to help Silvis boy in need of new heart

For the Lyon’s family, one day changed everything. “It did. It happened over night,” said Laura Lyons. “They told me, if I wouldn’t have taken my son to t...

For the Lyon’s family, one day changed everything.

“It did. It happened over night,” said Laura Lyons.

“They told me, if I wouldn't have taken my son to the E.R. on that Sunday, he wouldn't been here that night,” she added.

On September 28, 2013, her 12-year-old son, Daniel, who has asthma, couldn’t breathe.

“It was a really hard time to breathe. It felt like I couldn't breathe,” he said.

It happened again the next day. This time, it was a trip to the emergency room.

“I found out, Daniel's heart was enlarged and he was in heart failure,” said Laura Lyons.

Daniel was transported to Peoria. The second day there, he went into cardiac arrest. He was then flown to St. Louis, where he was in a coma for one week.  After spending a month in the hospital, Daniel was told he could go home, but he had to bring something with him—a HeartWare pack.

“It keeps the blood flowing through my heart,” said Daniel.

“If this cord comes out, Daniel’s heart would stop and Daniel would stop,” said Laura Lyons.

Not long after Daniel got home, so did the bills. Mrs. Lyons said a helicopter ride from Peoria to St. Louis cost them $45,000. The family received two more bills costing more than $500.

“So, yeah, the bills are starting to roll in, but I'm not worried about that, I want my son well and strong,” said Mrs. Lyons.

And Daniel will need to be strong. On December 12, 2013, he’ll be put on a list for a new heart.  His family said they were told he could receive a heart from anywhere to a week to three weeks. After the transplant, he will need to take 12 pills every morning and night.

A benefit to help cover medical costs will be held Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at Mulligan’s Valley Pub in Coal Valley, Illinois from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tacos will be sold for $5 and there will be raffle prizes.

A fund for Daniel Lyons is also set up at IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union.

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