Community Corner

UPDATE: CL Resident Colleen Gleason Receives Donor Heart

The Crystal Lake Central graduate underwent heart transplant surgery early this morning, Thursday, Jan. 17.

UPDATE: Sunday, Jan. 20

Colleen's mother, Christine, reported on the CaringBridge webpage that her daughter has a quiet day of rest and recuperation on Saturday.

For more updates on Colleen's condition, visiting the CaringBridge webpage.

Find out what's happening in Crystal Lake-Carywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

UPDATE: Friday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m.

Colleen's mother, Christine Gleason, last night posted an update on Colleen's condition on the CaringBridge page:

Find out what's happening in Crystal Lake-Carywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Just a quick update to let you know Colleen is sleeping comfortably, and she is doing great! She still has her breathing tube in, and that will remain for sure until atleast tomorrow afternoon. Knowing Colleen as I do, I believe she will start getting tubes pulled in record time! In Colleen's prayer for us to read before bed tonight she asked that we pray for her donors family and the donor...."

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Original Story posted Thursday, Jan. 17, 3 p.m.

Crystal Lake Central graduate Colleen Gleason was featured just days ago in a video promoting the school's upcoming Dance-A-Thon on Crystal Lake-Cary Patch.

Central's student council, working with other leadership groups at the school, had decided the dance fundraiser would benefit the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago- specifically the childen's cardiac unit.

Students knew Colleen, 20, had been admitted three months ago to Lurie's, where she's been waiting ever since for a donor heart. She underwent her first transplant when she was just three years old, and now needed a new heart.

Good news arrived today that Colleen received a donor heart and underwent surgery at 5 a.m. Jan. 17.

The Gleason family has asked for privacy at this time while Colleen recovers, according to CLC officials. However, on Colleen's CaringBridge webpage, she wrote:

"If you're wondering what you can do for me, I only ask for prayers for my family and all those supporting me! God bless all of you and thanks for your continued encouragement and care!"

More photographs of Colleen are posted on her CaringBridge webpage, and you can get a glimpse of her energy and spirit on the Crystal Lake Central High School video promoting the upcoming Dance-A-Thon, set for Feb. 9 .


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