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(ABC 6 News) — The holiday season is here, but some aren’t always fortunate enough to be able to spend it in the comfort of their own home.
That is the challenge being faced by the Schneider family and their 8-year-old daughter, Claire, who is currently living at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester while she waits for a heart transplant.
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With the holidays near, the family is looking to bring the holidays to the hospital.
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Claire is requesting postcards from all 50 states, and it’s going well with many people already showing their support.
Claire said she has received postcards from close to 20 states already, from Minnesota all the way to Alaska. The cards are even being sent internationally from countries like Ireland.
Claire has been at Saint Marys for months now as she waits for a heart transplant after living her entire life with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. The disease caused the left side of her heart to never fully develop.
The postcards are keeping her spirits up as she has to stay at the hospital during the holidays.
“Being trapped in these floor walls, it’s very discouraging for her, so this is just an awesome way for her to know that so many people are supporting her sending their love,” said Claire’s mom, Katie Schneider.
The Schneiders have done the best they can to make Claire’s room as homey as possible, but of course, it won’t ever replace being home. The family plans to spend Christmas by Claire’s side in her hospital room.
Claire’s mom said that now that they have cards from as far as Ireland, their new goal is to receive cards from as many countries as they can get.
If you are interested in sending a postcard to Claire, you can do so at the address below:
Claire Schneider
MB 3 C/F PICU
Saint Marys Hospital
1216 2nd Street SW
Rochester, MN 55905
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