AF JROTC at TWHS hosts successful fundraiser for Anna King

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- The JROTC at The Woodlands High School mustered the skills developed in their military program to organize a fundraising effort for the benefit of Anna King, the McCullough Junior High student who is awaiting a heart transplant as the result of contracting a virus that damaged her heart last year.

Anna’s rare heart condition was detailed in the story… Woodlands school shows a lot of heart for student awaiting heart transplant. Anna was afflicted with dilated cardiomyopathy. Simply put, her heart became diseased and wore itself out. She is the patient of the transplant team at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston and is currently waiting for a suitable heart donor. In the meantime, the medical expenses keep growing.

Organizations like the JROTC have been holding fundraising events to offset the family’s increasing medical expenses.

“The Woodlands AFJROTC does a lot of community service; actually 2100 hours this school year. This project was just a spontaneous…'hey here's a need, let's see what we can do to help' sort of initiative,” said Chief Master Sergeant Daniel G Ciufo, USAF (Ret.), who oversees the program at The Woodlands High School and also teaches Aerospace Science.

Ryan Elkins initiated the fundraiser with the idea to collect funds from the cadets and the majority of the funds came from student’s wallets. Nearly $1,000 was raised by the father of one of the cadets just through his work. In addition to donating cash, the Cadets from D Flight held a car wash at Chick-fil-A which, coupled with the restaurant’s community involvement program, raised $1000.

Anna asked to speak to the group after the presentation. ".....Ummm....WOW!...Thank you!" said Anna King.

Anna was accompanied by her mother, Pam, and her sister, Lila, who were both visibly moved, not expecting the magnitude of the donation.

"Just when something happens and money goes out, something else happens like this, to make it up", said Pam King.

Making the presentation was group commander, Judy Hipelius (left in photo), and Monica Dallacasa and Taylor Koontz (right in photo). Pictured in the insert is Anna’s reaction when informed that the donation was in the amount of $4,000.

Anna’s ordeal is ongoing and so will her need for medical treatment, until Anna moves up on the donor list and a suitable donor is available. Fundraising efforts will be ongoing. The McCullough Choir is hosting a benefit concert titled "The Music in Me" this Friday, May 17, at 6:30 p.m., on their campus in the Nancy Bock Center for the Performing Arts. Ticket prices vary depending on seating...$5 to $15, and can be purchased online at Class Act Productions.

Anna was honored on Valentine’s Day by her school, who wore T-shirts that read “A Heart fit for A. King.” It just so happens that Valentine’s Day is Organ Donor Day, drawing attention to Anna’s need for a healthy heart. Read more about the Valentine’s Day tribute to Anna at Valentine's Day is National Organ Donor Day.

“She's a delightful young lady and they’re a lovely family,” Chief Master Sgt. Ciufo.

For more information about Anna’s ongoing quest to find a healthy heart, or to make a donation click on Humor Heals the Heart.