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Community rallying around baby with heart defect

47 views · Published 21 February 2017 · 2:24 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2017 · News & Politics

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MASSIE TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WKRC) - He's spent years helping save lives as a first responder, now the community is pulling for a firefighter and his baby.

Captain Randy Daniels has been a firefighter for years. He's had a full career. It's his passion to serve his community but his biggest passion is his family and that includes his youngest child, 14-month-old Clayton.

Captain Daniels said, "Clayton was born December 2015, with a congenital heart defect. He does not get the amount of oxygen in his blood that he needs to act as a normal child." 

Clayton's mother, Beth added, "In his first year of life, he spent 150 nights in the hospital. So about half of his life."

To look at him, you would not know that baby Clayton has health challenges, but he has already had two open-heart surgeries. Doctors say he can have a heart and lung transplant or continue treatments to improve his quality of life.

"It's very expensive having a kid that has medical issues and we've spent a lot of money taking care of him and that's the right thing to do," said Beth.

The fire service is a brother and sisterhood and that's why an EMT who works with Captain Daniels is organizing and awareness benefit and fundraiser to help the family. Monday evening, February 13, they met to organize.

Erica Rettalick said, "He so happy and go lucky, but you just know that he need something and we need to figure out a way for him to get it." 

Rettalick put together the "Have a Heart to Save a Heart Benefit" for Clayton. Clayton may have health challenges, but he's not going at them alone. He has the support of the community behind him.

Clayton's benefit is this Saturday, February 18, from noon to 6 p.m. It's at the Lebanon Eagles located at 209 West Main Street in Lebanon. It's sponsored by the Fire and Iron Firefighter's Motorcycle Club.

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