BUENA PARK : City Welcomes Boy Awaiting Transplant

The city opened its arms Monday to a 12-year-old boy who is suffering from cystic fibrosis and awaiting a lifesaving lung transplant.

During a news conference at City Hall, Mayor Arthur C. Brown presented Brian Smith with admission tickets to local amusements, gifts from the city and a key to the city.

Brian said that it was “neat” to receive the gifts and that he liked them all.

His mother, Alicia Smith, who hopes to donate part of a lung to him, said she too was surprised.

“Everybody’s been so supportive,” she said. “I’m not used to having everyone fuss over us.”

Mother and son live in Azle, Tex., near Ft. Worth. The two are staying with Smith’s sister and her family in Buena Park.

Since Brian has said he wants to be a chef, he will get a private tour of a local restaurant’s kitchen. In addition, he will tour the city’s Police Department, ride in a patrol car and have dinner with firefighters.

During his two-week stay here, Brian has undergone testing at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to determine if he is suitable for a transplant.

Smith said her son this week will have further psychological testing and an examination by a physician specializing in cystic fibrosis, a fatal genetic disease. Smith said she believes that the lung transplant is the only chance for her son.

“I just want him to have a normal life. We don’t have an alternative,” she said. “I want to see him have a chance to live longer. I’m not going to give up now.”

At the end of the press conference, Brian, who uses a portable oxygen tank to help him breath, was pushed in a wheelchair to a waiting firetruck.

Firefighters lifted him inside the truck’s cab and buckled him in. As the firetruck drove away, Brian smiled and waved to his mother.