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President Trump responds to local boy trying to help father get new kidney

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — President Donald Trump responded in a letter to an 8-year-old Burke County boy who asked for a kidney for his father.

Fore Putnam, a fourth-grader, only wanted just one thing for Christmas last year -- a kidney for his father. The child is campaigning hard for his dad and took his problem all the way to the most powerful man in the U.S.

Trae Putnam has a rare blood disease that left him in complete renal failure. He has been on dialysis for nearly three years and has been on a waiting list for a donor.

"Every night, the first thing he prays for is for me getting a kidney and that's why I want to get better is for him," the father said.

Fore asked his grandmother who on Earth could help him get his dad a kidney. That’s when Fore turned to writing letters; one each to Trump, his daughter, Ivanka Trump, and to Santa Claus.

"My dad's been sick for three years and he really needs a kidney so he can go outside and play with me," Fore said.

A letter came back addressed from the White House this week.

"Like wow, cool, just got a letter from Trump," Fore said.

The president wrote the letter and assured Fore that he shared his letter with his staff “and they are working to see what help they can provide.”

"I just know in my heart, that it is going to be OK," Fore's grandmother Shelia Sherrill said. "God has reassured me that he is going to take care of Trae and Fore."

"I know there are thousands of people in my same situation and you kind of feel hopeless and like nobody cares, Trae Putman said. "So it would be awesome if he (Trump) really could help."

For more information on how to donate, please contact Sherrill at 828-291-7735.

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