Milosh and his team of mighty warriors at the Northern Kentucky Fencing Academy in Ludlow
By Vicki Prichard
NKyTribune Reporter
Thursday, June 23, 2016 marked 70 days that six-year-old Milosh Kalapasev’s name has been on a heart transplant waiting list.
Each day since April 15, the day he was re-listed for his second heart transplant, Milosh’s Facebook page – Milosh the Lion Prince – features photographs of a little boy whose wide smile belies his battle.
Milosh was born with a mitochondrial disorder called Barth Syndrome, a syndrome that caused a congenital heart defect. Mitochondrial disorders primarily affects males, causing cardiomyopathy, neutropenia, growth delays, under developed skeletal structure and muscle weakness.
As a toddler, Milosh’s heart function was so poor that he required a heart transplant in 2011, when he was 14-months old. Due to rejection issues and coronary artery disease, Milosh was re-listed for his second heart transplant in April.
But Milosh does not wage his battle with Barth Syndrome alone, In fact, he has a team of mighty swordsmen battling right by his side.
Milosh’s father, Ned Kalapasev, is the founder of the Northern Kentucky Fencing Association (NKFA) in Ludlow.
A talented swordsman, he founded NKFA to help raise awareness and funds for the Barth Syndrome Foundation (BSF) and provide grants for life saving research and treatment options for individuals affected by Barth Syndrome. Proceeds from NKFA’s tournaments go to BSF in Milosh’s name.
On Saturday, others in the Ludlow community will join to support Milosh’s effort.
The Ludlow Civic Club and NKFA’s Team 301 will host an event to raise funds to help Milosh, and his family, attend the Barth Syndrome Conference this summer.
The event begins at 9 a.m. with a fencing tournament at the NKFA at 301 Elm Street in Ludlow.
Wynners Cup Café and Second Sight Spirits – both good neighbors of the NKY Fencing Academy – are hosting silent auctions featuring gift baskets.
The event runs through 5 p.m. and will include a silent auction, live music, food and drinks, including Second Sight rum and moonshine. The live music begins at noon.
See this earlier NKyTribune story on the NKY Fencing Academy.
