Teal Stamper walks around with a smile on her face.
It would be hard to know from her optimistic attitude she has undergone eight heart surgeries and is need of a heart transplant.
Stamper, 18, was born with pulmonary artesia and hypoplastic right heart syndrome. It is a condition where the right atrium and right ventricle are underdeveloped.
She was born three weeks early by an emergency C-section.
Stamper was born Oct. 6, 1990, at Kosciusko Community Hospital, and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Doctors at Riley Hospital For Children, Indianapolis, recommended she receive a life-saving heart transplant.Teal is the daughter of Deejay and Teresa Stamper, Warsaw. Her grandparents are Paul and Judy Hoffer.
Teresa worked for Marine Mooring for 13 years, Barbee Lake, and was laid off. Deejay has not worked since 2000.
Teal was having trouble after being born getting oxygen. She was sent to Lutheran Hospital where she was diagnosed with pulmonary artesia where the pulmonary artery is absent. She also had a hypoplastic heart where the right side of the heart is thickened and deformed.
She was then taken to Riley Hospital for Children. At 4 days old, she had her first heart surgery at the hospital.
The family said there is not a donor at this point for the heart transplant, and they have been on a waiting list since Jan. 8, 2009.
A fish fry was held at the Elks Lodge by the family to raise funds for Teal's heart transplant March 15 when $2,500 was raised.
The goal is to raise $25,000 and volunteers are needed to assist with fundraising efforts.
Teal attended Lincoln Elementary School and Warsaw Community High School her freshman and sophomore years. She has taken classes over the Internet for two years.
"I was in and out of the hospital so much it was easier to take classes over the Internet," Teal said.
The Children's Organ Transplant Association has set up an account for funds to be raised for Teal's transplant.
COTA is a national charity dedicated to organizing and guiding communities in raising funds for transplant-needy patients.
Donations may be made at any First Source Bank branch or mailed to the Children's Organ Transplant Association, 2501 W. Cota Drive, Bloomington, IN 47403. Checks should be mailed to COTA in honor of Teal Stamper written in the memo line.
For more information, contact campaign coordinator Kassie Tennant at 574-527-1623.
