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Manning boy needs new heart LMA raises money for 4-year-old’s transplant BY KONSTANTIN VENGEROWSKY konstantin@theitem.com MANNING — Laurence Manning Academy has shown support for one of its students in need of a heart transplant, organizing various fundraisers and encouraging donations that have led to thousands of dollars being raised for James Smith, 4. Full of energy and zeal, smart and witty, one wouldn’t know right away that Smith is suffering from a KEITH GEDMAKE / THE SUMTER ITEM serious medical condition. Smith is in need of a heart transJim Smith talks about his son James’, 4, need for a heart transplant as his wife, Holly, looks on at their plant after being diagnosed with reManning home recently. James’ schoolmates at Lau- strictive cardiomyopathy last August, according to his parents, Dr. rence Manning Academy have collected money to James “Jim” R. Smith, a pediatrihelp offset his medical expenses.
shape, he said. James requires daily medication for his condition. Cost of the surgery is $750,000, and even with insurance coverage, the family will have financial hardships as a result. The family will be required to stay in Charleston six weeks posttransplant for James’ daily medical supervision. Since his diagnosis in August, James’ school has been right behind him. “James is one of the most loving young children at the school, with a great bubbly personality,” said Spencer Jordan, headmaster of Laurence Manning Academy.
cian, and Holly Smith. The condition is a rare form of a heart muscle disease, characterized by restrictive filling of the ventricles. In this disease the contractile function of the heart and wall thicknesses are usually normal, but the relaxation or filling phase of the heart is very abnormal, according to the American Heart Association’s website, www.heart.org. “Because his condition is not treatable, it can worsen very quickly,” said his father. Smith was diagnosed with the same condition at age 15 and underwent a successful heart transplant surgery. He has not had any problems since receiving the transplant, and today his health is in good
SEE HEART, PAGE A9
Annual festival reveals soul of South Sumter More than 15K attend Saturday BY KONSTANTIN VENGEROWSKY konstantin@theitem.com The 12th Annual Festival on the Avenue attracted more than 15,000 to South Sumter Saturday. Saturday’s event, spreading across a mile stretch on Manning Avenue, was a culmination of a three-day event. The goal of the festival is to pay tribute to the history, culture and traditions of the South Sumter community and to celebrate the area through musical performances, art displays and events, said Patty Wilson, founder and committee chairwoman. “It has grown in leaps and bounds since its founding,” Wilson said. Saturday’s festivities began with an opening ceremony with introductions by local government officials, including State Rep. David Weeks, DSumter, the co-founder of the event. A parade followed, with KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM
SEE FESTIVAL, PAGE A11 Cpl. Jerry Hughes gives a ball to Kenyan Brunson, 3, during the Festival on the Avenue on Saturday.
Remains of Spartanburg soldier to be returned for burial BY ZACH FOX Herald-Journal of Spartanburg SPARTANBURG — U.S. Army Air Forces Flight Officer Dewey L. Gossett of Spartanburg was 23 when his plane crashed in Italy during World War II.
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Now, more than 72 years later, Gossett’s remains were identified after extensive family research and DNA testing. His remains will be returned to his family for a burial with full military honors, The Defense POW/MIA Ac-
counting Agency announced. “It gives us closure. We know we’re going to bring him home now,” said Nora Messick, Gossett’s grandniece. “We finally have answers, and we finally know. There’s a relief that goes with it. We want to get him home.
There’s that anticipation; getting him here now.” Messick said Gossett has been a hero to her and her family. He often sent money home to his
SEE BURIAL, PAGE A9
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