Alpha Chi Omega goes an extra-mile to help a sister in need

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - A Indiana State University student received a special heart this Valentine's month. The sophomore nursing major underwent a successful heart transplant surgery.

And now, her sisters want to help.

Camasia Foltz had been nervously waiting for months for a new heart.

A major heart condition left the young woman needing her body's most vital organ and fast. This month, health administrators from the Cleveland Clinic found a match.
    
Now, her sorority sisters are giving new meaning to this holiday, Valentine's Day.

“When we found out that she was going to be looking for a heart and everything, we realized that the surplus of the medical bills and everything, that that was going to be a lot for her family to handle. And we wanted to be able to help and step up and show what true sisterhood’s about,” said Casey May, president of Alpha Chi Omega.

Alpha Chi Omega decided to send love her way on this special day.

“She’s our sister. It’s part of sisterhood and we really want to help her,” said Rachel Ballard, vice president of recruitment, Alpha Chi Omega.
    
The sorority decided to sell red carnations, their sorority flower, and ribbons on this most heartwarming of days.
    
The money raised will go straight to the Foltz' family for support.

“We thought it would be helpful and get Alpha Chi Omega out there, but also, you know selling the carnations in honor of her and giving all the money that we could possibly raise to Camasia’s family in order to help pay for these medical bills,” said May.
    
The girls say Camasia is a prime example of one of their mottos of being a "real, strong woman".

“I think it’s important to do it for her in ways that show her that even though she’s not here physically with us, that she is always in our thoughts and prayers, that she’s with us wherever we go…..we’re always going to be here for her. People she doesn’t even know are donating and I just think that’s so important, so great…she’s improving a lot. We just can’t wait to see her again,” said May.

Camasia is recovering in Cleveland and just got out of the hospital Thursday.