REDMOND, Ore. — Community members gathered Sunday at General Duffy’s Waterhole to support 14-month-old Braxton Twyman, who is awaiting a heart transplant.
The “Find a Heart” social fundraiser brought together families, bikers and car enthusiasts for a raffle, car show and poker bike run. Participating locations, including General Duffy’s, Sunriver Taphouse, Rosland Coffee and Legends Cider in La Pine, donated $1 for every item sold in addition to accepting donations.
Braxton was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a rare congenital heart defect. After two open-heart surgeries and additional procedures, a transplant is now his only option.
Braxton’s parents, Destinee and Dakota Twyman, spent the day at General Duffy’s surrounded by supporters.
“It feels really good to have the community’s support and the love from everybody,” the family said. “We couldn’t have done it without the community.”
Dick Robertson, owner of General Duffy’s, said hosting the fundraiser was personal.
“Braxton is due for a heart transplant, and I feel like at General Duffy’s we have a heart, so we want to help him out,” Robertson said.
Donations for Braxton remain available through his GoFundMe as the family continues the search for a transplant center.
