Community rallies around teen with serious heart condition
NEW KENT, VA (WWBT) - A fundraiser is being held Tuesday for a popular New Kent teen who was suddenly rushed to the hospital just before Christmas for a heart condition.
Doctors recently told Juan Mikel-Jones - who plays football for New Kent - that he had a serious heart condition. He's gone through several surgeries over the holidays while waiting for a new heart.
New Kent High School Principal Christopher Valdrighi told the Tidewater Review that Mikel-Jones started coughing and developed a bad cold just a few weeks ago.
"I got a text message a couple of weeks ago from our athletic director, John Spiak, who works very closely with Juan. ... Next thing he knew, Juan was in the hospital and needed a heart transplant, and that sort of got the whole ball rolling," said Valdrighi.
The New Kent community set up a GoFundMe page, and using "#newkentstrong" to spread support.
And on Tuesday, The Colonial Kitchen in New Kent is donating 20 percent of its proceeds to help Mikel-Jones' family.
The restaurant is at 11861 New Kent Highway.
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