Story Published:
Sep 30, 2011 at 7:18 PM MDT
Story Updated:
Oct 4, 2011 at 10:17 AM MDT
BILLINGS - A Billings family is hopeful its son will be one of the 300 U.S. children estimated to receive a heart transplant in 2011. Evan Drollinger was born with a weak heart that has been going strong for eight years now, but time is not on his side.
Evan is moving with his mom and sister, while dad stays in Billings, to await a new heart. Before he goes, he wants to make sure his friends understand what's happening.
"This is a big thing in Evan's life and for his family," said Maureen Klaboe, counselor at Broadwater Elementary School. Wednesday, the lesson plan turned personal for third graders at Broadwater because a person close to their hearts, is leaving to receive a new one: eight-year-old Evan Drollinger. "His heart doesn't beat the same way ours does," Klaboe told the class. "It doesn't properly carry oxygen, and he gets tired easily."
Evan sat with Mrs. Klaboe and his mother in front of his peers to talk about his upcoming trip to Denver, where he'll hopefully receive a heart transplant. Once there, he will be put on a waiting list and given a pager that will alert him when it's his turn.
Evan has undergone two open-heart surgeries since he was born. His mother says it is time. "His body is growing and his vascular system is expanding, and his heart is too small and not functioning well enough to keep up with that," said Karen Drollinger.
Evan shared with his class what he would be taking with him. Packed in his bag will be his baby blanket and his Woody doll from the movie Toy Story. His classmates had questions. Like, "Will Evan still be the same cool kid when he comes back?" To which the class, and Evan, responded with a resounding, "Yes".
Lots of little hands rose to ask big questions. Some harder to answer than others. That was when Klaboe helped explain where Evan's new heart would be coming from.
"Sometimes people get into accidents that no matter how perfectly normal and healthy they are their body may become injured and wounded to the point where they cannot survive," Klaboe said to the children. "That happens sadly, doesn't it? But, it's a healthy, helpful, and loving thing when people donate their organs or parts of their body to other people because it truly is a gift of life."
A gift Evan's mom says she struggles with because it means someone else's precious child has passed away. "In their most desperate and awful, challenging time a family has made a decision to give the gift of life, and we will be forever grateful for that," said Drollinger.
The Broadwater community is rallying around Evan and his family. They are hosting a benefit Saturday, October 1, at the school to help with expenses while in Denver. "My daughter is in his class," said Tom Hinthorne. "We, and many other parents, just wanted to do something to help and be there for Evan and his family, and to show that this is truly a community that cares."
The benefit for Evan is Saturday afternoon at Broadwater Elementary School, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. There will be horse and carriage rides, inflatables, the school's fire slide will be open, and there will also be ice cream. The Drollinger family says they cannot express their gratitude enough to everyone involved.
Evan leaves for Denver early October. He could be gone anywhere from three months to a year.
UPDATE:
A charity fund is being set up in Evan's name. In the meantime, people can send donations to the Broadwater School PTA (attn: Evan), 415 Broadwater Ave., Billings, MT 59101. The family has also set up a website on Carepages to update the public on Evan's condition. To go to the site, click on Connections.
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