Fundraiser launched as Batesville teen in ICU for ongoing heart issues

Link to fundraiser is below

(BATESVILLE, Ind.) – A Batesville teen who has overcome serious medical issues is now facing a major challenge.

Peyton Sherrell was just 2-years-old when she received a heart transplant in 2009. 

Two years later, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. Peyton beat the cancer and has been in remission for 12 years. 

The 17-year-old recently returned to the hospital where she is in the ICU in critical condition, her family said. 

“She has had her donor heart for almost 16 years. Peyton’s heart transplant doctors are saying that it is possible that her heart is rejecting due to the organ living its life expectancy or other factors,” her mom, Jessica Kelley said. 

The family received some good news on Thursday that her heart is doing better as they are hoping that the condition doesn’t worsen and force another heart transplant.

Peyton will likely be hospitalized for the foreseeable future which has led to a fundraiser to support the family. 

It can help the family who is missing work and traveling back-and-forth from the hospital.

You can assist the family by clicking this link. 

Peyton has also lived through some social issues due to her medical situation. A medication she was taking in 2020 caused overgrowth of gums over her teeth.

It led to some bullying in school and the family was able to get assistance to have a procedure that gave her a new smile.

“I let her know that she’s beautiful inside and out. She’s a gorgeous little girl," Kelley told the Cincinnati Enqurier in 2020.