Friends and family are working to raise funds for a Brownwood man who desperately needs a heart transplant.

52-year-old Clement Raymond Smiley is in need of a heart transplant after battling congestive heart failure for the past four years, according to his family.  He has been hospitalized many times to keep the fluids drained off of his lungs and heart and has had a heart defibrillator inserted to keep his heart beating regularly, his nephew wrote on a GoFundMe.com fundraising page for Smiley.

A fundraiser is being organized for November 2nd, at Smitty’s BBQ located at 708 W. Austin Avenue in Brownwood.  Brisket plates will be available for $8 along with t-shirts for $15.  Donations are also being accepted via the GoFundMe.com page that has been set up for the Smiley family.  CLICK HERE to make a donation.

Currently in Medical City in Dallas, Smiley is waiting on a transplant.  In the mean time, his medical team has implanted a Heartmate II LVAD to help the left side of his heart beat correctly; however, in doing so, the right side of his heart went into failure, resulting in the desperate need for a transplant, said his nephew, Chris Hopkins on the GoFundMe page.

“Without this new heart he will not be returning home where his only daughter, 21, and grandson, 1, live also,” said Hopkins.

Smiley served 13 years in the US Army and has been employed with the United States Postal Service, as a mail carrier, for the past 17 years.

The proceeds from this fundraiser will help his family pay his monthly bills and the medical bills that are piling up as he waits for a new heart.

“Please help us give a little stress relief to his family during this very stressful time,” Hopkins pleads.  “Thanks ahead of time for all the donations and prayers that are being sent and will continue to be sent during this campaign. No words can express how completely grateful we are for all of you.”