This April, Coffee High School junior Lily Kramer will celebrate her 17th birthday, as well as the 10-year anniversary of a heart ablation procedure that changed her life. Lily is launching a campaign to raise funds to support the Emergency Room at Coffee Regional Medical Center, where their quick response changed her life at just seven years old.
Lily experienced sudden, unexplained episodes of rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness and nausea. A particularly severe episode led her parents to rush her to Coffee Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Room. When she arrived, her heart was racing at 174 bpm, extremely higher than her normal 72. The ER team’s immediate steps allowed for an early diagnosis of Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome – a rare heart condition that can cause dangerously fast heartbeats.
Once stabilized, Lily was transferred to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah for further evaluation. She later received specialized care at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where she underwent a heart catheter ablation to correct the condition. Her family recalls the surgeon in Atlanta commending the team at CRMC for their prompt and effective actions. Thanks to their attentiveness, Lily’s condition was identified at such a young age, allowing her to receive the necessary treatment.
Looking back on the past 10 years, Lily is grateful for the exceptional care she received and wants to give back to the medical center that played a significant role in her life. Supporters can contribute any time from now until the end of April, by visiting https://gofundme.com/f/help-lily-kramer-give-back-to-crmcs-er. Additionally, on Saturday, April 5, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Lily will set up a sidewalk sale table outside Malcolm’s Drug Store, located at 250 Peterson Avenue S. During this event, she will be offering heart-shaped gifts for a $5 donation.
Lily’s fundraising efforts not only aim to enhance the resources and capabilities of CRMC’s emergency care department, but also to raise awareness about WPW syndrome. This condition affects approximately 1.5 out of 1,000 people worldwide and can lead to serious complications, if not promptly diagnosed and treated. By sharing her story, Lily hopes to encourage others to seek medical attention for unexplained rapid heart rates and to support institutions like CRMC that provide critical emergency care services.