Attleboro Whiz Kid: Makenzie Killough

• Makenzie jumps from her heart to share hope.

In June of 2010, Makenzie Killough underwent surgery to repair a heart murmur that she was born with. Today, Mackenzie is a happy, healthy third-grade student at St. John the Evangelist School loving life and fully engaging in all the sweet joys of childhood. 

When Makenzie learned that she would be given the opportunity to help other children with heart conditions, it was something in which she poured her soul. From the day the flyer came home from school, Makenzie talked about raising money and jumping rope for other children who would have to face the same fears she faced in order to have a healthy heart. As Makenzie talked with her mom about Jump Rope for Heart she said, "Mommy, I know what it's like to have something wrong with your heart and how scary it is. And I know how scary surgery is. I want to help the other kids so they can have medicine and hope.” Makenzie and her mom prepared a website to share Makenzie’s story and introduce their friends and family to the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart Program.

When the day arrived, Makenzie jumped and jumped from her heart to share hope with other children. She impressively jumped as many as 110 jumps in a minute, and out of the generous hearts of friends and family she was able to raise $1,400.00. All the work Makenzie put into the fundraising and the event itself was evidenced by her being the number one fundraiser in Massachusetts and the number one fundraiser in all of New England. She ranked as 23 in the nation.