She’s just five-years-old, but Racquena Thomas has spent nearly half of her life in hospital. She was born with a congenital heart defect, and has undergone multiple open heart surgeries, including a heart transplant, which sadly, was unsuccessful.
Now, she’s fitted with an artificial heart, but has lived at the Stollery Children’s Hospital for the past two years.
“She basically is in the hospital here, this is her home,” says Racquena’s mother Ceciel Knibbs. “I would do anything to make her happy.”
Her mother says there are a few things that really bring a smile to Racquena’s face, and one is pop sensation Justin Bieber.
The walls of her hospital room are covered in posters featuring the “Baby, Baby, Baby” singer, and of course – lyrics to that song are frequently heard throughout the hospital halls.
“Oh, that song is always in my head,” laughs Knibbs, “even all the nurses know it; she keeps singing baby, baby, baby, oh.”
Her affection for the Biebs is so well known, the mother of another heart patient at the Stollery has taken it upon herself to make one little girl’s dream, a reality.
Karli Wilson has started a Facebook campaign to get Justin Bieber to visit Racquena in person when he’s in Edmonton for his October 15th concert. The page was started on Thursday, and already has more than 4,400 members.
“I didn’t know it was such a big thing,” says Knibbs. “I went on Facebook and saw all these people voting.”
The incredible amount of support means so much to Knibbs, but it means more to her daughter, who’s the true ‘belieber.’
“It would mean the world to Racquena for Justin Bieber to come and visit her,” she adds. “I would be so happy for her.”
Since Racquena’s in the hospital, she wouldn’t be able to attend the concert, but Knibbs is hopeful her daughter will still get to experience a special moment with the pop star.
Global Edmonton has tried contacting Justin Bieber’s Management team and label about the Facebook campaign, but has yet to hear back.
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