Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda UFSD
Providing our students with the supports, tools, and diverse opportunities needed to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world
- Kenmore Town of Tonawanda UFSD
- Overview
Students Celebrate Father's Heart Transplant with 'Heart Parties'
On June 1, Day came out of surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston with a new heart, ending a more than two-year ordeal that began when Day was hospitalized for a rare autoimmune disease called hypereosinophilic syndrome, which had attacked and severely damaged his heart.
Day’s children Erin and Clare are both students at Lindbergh Elementary School. Erin’s teacher, Amy Stoerr, and Clare’s teacher, Sandy Terrance, along with their students, recently organized “Heart Day” parties to celebrate the good news with Erin, Clare and all their classmates.
There has been an outpouring of support for Day and his family since he learned he would need a heart transplant. Blood drives were organized in Day’s honor, including drives at Lindbergh Elementary and by Town of Tonawanda police. Lindbergh elementary students collected and donated money to Wings Flights of Hope, an organization that helped Day by providing him with transportation to and from Boston with the help of volunteer pilots. Fundraisers and benefits were organized to support Day and his family. Town of Tonawanda police personnel donated $50 each to wear a beard in a show of solidarity and support.