His name is Sam McGuire, and he's endured a lot more than other Airdrie kids have at his age.

At just 3 and a half years old, Sam is in need of a new heart due to a condition called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome which means he's missing a chamber that pumps blood to the rest of his body.

Despite the numerous hospital visits, Sam's mother Kristina says, he is always shining bright.

"He is amazing, he does really well actually. We get comments all the time about how happy he is, how upbeat, and he's got such great personality, so he's actually coping really well."

Kristina says that Sam has had a total of four open heart surgeries, the first at just 13 days old, which has made for some trying times for the family.

"We're tough because we have to be not because we want to be by any means. My daughter is now 7 and has been through more than most people have in their lifetime and she's tough and I think she gets it from her brother too."

Among some of the biggest fans in Sam's life are his neighbours, which Kristina says have shown nothing but great support.

"They knew all about him and they've supported us and it just spreads, it's tremendous and people are always on board to help. Even though I hate being so far from the hospital I don't think I can ever leave Airdrie just because of the people that are there."

Lisa Pedersen, a friend of the McGuire family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with financial costs for Sam's future heart and the family also has a Facebook page for Sam's journey.

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