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CROUSE––Thirteen-year-old Murphy Clark has a serious congenital heart defect.

He needs a new heart, and the community of his father’s hometown of Crouse is rallying around him. Young Murphy is currently at the Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte. His grandmother, Annette Clark, told The Herald on Wednesday that her grandson entered the hospital Monday. Mrs. Clark explained that Murphy was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

According to Cardiology in the Young, hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a rare congenital heart defect. In this syndrome, the left side of the heart is severely underdeveloped, incapable of supporting proper circulation.

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome forms when babies are still in their mothers’ wombs. It leaves the left side of the heart unable to properly support circulation.

“He is on IV’s currently to get his body ready for a new heart,” Mrs. Clark said of Murphy. “He is very upbeat, for which we are very thankful. Prayers, love, support and many other acts of kindness have been a comfort for all of us.

“He had one surgery a few days after he was born,” she continued. “Over the next few months, he had two more. He has done extremely well. But as he ages, he is limited in the activities of a 13-year-old.”

Mrs. Clark extended her deepest thanks to the townsfolk of Crouse for all their remarkable support.

Mrs. Clarks’ pastor is Rev. Troy Howard of Crouse United Methodist Church. Howard cited a recent fundraising benefit to help defray the costs of Murphy’s medical care.

However, as he revealed, “On the day of the benefit, the weather was as bad as we were afraid it was going to be. It rained all day, but spirits were never dampened.  The Westside Cruisers were going to bring their classic cars as an inducement to attract a bigger crowd. The weather kept the classic cars away, but the owners came anyway and gave generously to the cause. Folks outside of our church donated baked goods to be sold, and people we’ve never seen or met came and bought hot dogs and gave generously. 

“The benefit included a lemonade stand that was run by two of our children,” the pastor added, “and it sold out. The whole day was reminiscent of the first-century Church, when folks just gave, over and above what was expected, in support of something good and important. One-hundred percent of the money we collected was placed into the fund for Murphy and his family. Church members and local businesses donated all of the hot dogs and fixings, drinks and everything else that was sold. It was a day filled with God’s blessings.”

Howard noted that the church has a fund to which folks may contribute. Checks should be sent to:

Crouse United Methodist Church, c/o Murphy Clark Benefit, P.O. Box 43, Crouse, N.C. 28033

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