Yukon Teenager Waits For Heart Transplant At Missouri Hospital

Hoping to be home for Christmas, one Yukon teenager has been at St. Louis Children's Hospital in St. Louis for the past three months awaiting a heart transplant.

At 17 years old, Ethan Ellis has already had five open heart surgeries to try and mend a congenital defect.

"He's definitely the strongest person I know. He stays positive all the time," Ethan's mom, Chandra Sowers, said.

Ethan is currently at the top of the transplant waiting is as a classification 1-A.

He and his mom initially came to St Louis Children's Hospital three months ago for a transplant evaluation, but doctors found his heart failure was worse than anticipated and his liver was damaged.

The transplant is expected to cost close to $1.5 million.

The Children's Organ Transplant Association is here to help and they set a goal to raise $60,000.

Despite mounting medical bills and a looming heart transplant, Ethan and his mom have a fairly simple Christmas wish this year.

"I think being home would be an ideal Christmas."

The Children's Organ Transplant Association is continuing to raise money for Ethan. To donate, head over to COTAforEthanE.com.