Karson family to represent ACH

Three-year-old Karson Weitkamp of Pocahontas, great-grandson of Jean McKeel of Rector, has come a long way since two open heart surgeries as an infant, but his future is still filled with uncertainties.

The son of Kevin and Nicole Weitkamp and the grandson of Gary and Sharon (McKeel) Casey of Jonesboro and Bill and Sharon Weitkamp of O'Kean, Karson has a congenital heart defect known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, or HLHS.

"In HLHS, the left side of the heart doesn't develop," said Nicole. "So essentially Karson has only half a heart."

Karson endured his first open heart surgery at only three days old and his second at six months of age, as well as numerous other procedures. He currently is awaiting a third open heart surgery.

"There is no cure for HLHS, and Karson will eventually require a heart transplant," Nicole said.

After being nominated by Renee Tucker, Brittany Schmidt and the Lawrence County Circle of Friends, Karson recently was chosen to be an Ambassador for Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock. ACH Ambassadors are a group of current and former Arkansas Children's Hospital patients who are giving hope and inspiration to other patient families, donors and volunteers by sharing their stories.

For one year, Karson and his family will share their story about their ACH experience at speaking engagements and special events and through printed materials. As an Ambassador, Karson will represent the thousands of children treated annually at ACH and its clinics.

Karson's family also has been contacted by the American Heart Association and invited to attend the 2010 Lobby Day in Washington D.C.

Karson, his mother, Nicole, and grandmother, Sharon Casey, attended the AHA Lobby Day in 2008. At only a year old, Karson was the youngest advocate and survivor on the Hill.

Karson and his mother will be going this year with a National Institutes of Health research doctor who will be meeting with Senator Mark Pryor to discuss the need to increase funding for NIH research.

"This funding is something I feel very strongly about", says Nicole. "Without the research, we don't know if Karson would be here with us today. HLHS has not been 'treatable' for very long, so Karson's long-term prognosis is unknown. The research is necessary for Karson to continue to live a full and happy life."

Karson also is the great-grandson of Maxine Casey of Paragould.