Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Thursday, February 23, 2012
(BEDFORD) - Ally Pemberton is moving closer to getting a new heart.
The fourth-grader at Stalker Elementary School is third on the list, said her grandmother Vickie Kopp. Ally was placed on the list Aug. 16. She has been on the list for about six months.
In 2005, Ally's family learned she has a heart defect called double inlet left ventricle. Ally was born with the condition, but it wasn't detected until she was almost 3.The condition causes her to tire easily, so she is unable to run and play.
She developed a complication, secondary pulmonary hypertension, which causes high blood pressure in her lungs.
Ally travels to Riley every three weeks to receive IV medication for her heart. The cost is $45,000. Her monthly medication cost an additional $25,000. Her mother Andrea stays with her for the week.
To help with the expenses of travel and medical costs, two Bloomington jewelry designers (Rhonda Grover and Laura Pope of Tizo Designs) created a heart pendant and a heart bracelet in honor of Ally. The pendant is called Ally's heart and the design is also featured on the form-fitting bracelet. The pendant and bracelet can be viewed at Tizo.biz or Kopps' Facebook page at Vickie Lantz Kopp.
Kopp is taking orders for the bracelets and pendants. The pendant comes in three sizes and sells for $25, $30 and $35. The bracelet is $28. Kopp said about 800 pendants have been sold.
Orders can be placed by calling Kopp, 279-2602 or 797-6973.
A special collection to help the Pemberton family will be taken at Friday's BNL boys basketball game.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.