A 19-month-old girl from Duplin County, North Carolina, has captured the hearts of the eastern North Carolina community as she awaits a heart transplant at Duke Hospital. Miley Byrd was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a condition where the left ventricle doesn’t form in the body, leaving Miley with half a heart. She underwent multiple surgeries and cardiac catheterizations, but her heart function began to decline and did not recover. Now, Miley’s heart will not recover, and she is set to be listed on the transplant registry by the end of the week. While the Byrd family faces uncertainty and difficult times, their community has come together to support them through prayers, fundraisers, and donations.
Residents and businesses from Duplin County to Onslow County have rallied around the Byrd family, offering their support and organizing various fundraisers. From barbeque chicken plate fundraisers to lemonade stands, local businesses are raising funds to help the family with travel, food, and medical expenses. In addition to the community support, Chelsea and Ryan Byrd’s colleagues have donated enough leave so that Chelsea, who is a teacher, can remain with Miley at Duke throughout the school year. The family is grateful for the overwhelming support, which they believe is an expression of their community’s deep care and is also a testament to their faith. For other families facing similar situations, Chelsea encourages taking it moment by moment and not attempting to handle it alone.