'I want to help other kids': Adams County boy with heart condition raises money for others

Josh Shorb, 10, stood near third base at FNB Field, the home of the Harrisburg Senators minor league baseball team, with the team's mascot Rascal by his side and a shy smile on his face.

Shorb, going into the fifth grade at Franklin Township Elementary, would soon throw out the first pitch at the June 14 game, an accolade for his fundraising efforts toward the American Heart Association.

Shorb raised more than $6,000 in a three-year period, becoming the top fundraiser in central Pennsylvania for the Kids Heart Challenge. He raised more than $2,500 this year, the highest figure at his elementary school. 

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The joyful scene at the baseball game was a far different picture than the one his mother, Melissa Shorb, pulled up on her phone from eight years ago.

Josh's eyes were bloodshot, his lips and hands were swollen and skin was flaking off his reddened cheeks.

What appeared as the flu initially turned out to be a diagnosis of Kawasaki disease, a rare childhood syndrome that swells the interior walls of the coronary arteries. In effect, the disease can deprive major organs of the blood flow they need.

"Organs can start to shut down one by one," Melissa Shorb said. "Some kids are left blind, a lot of kids have to have organ transplants or be on medication for the rest of their lives, and, ultimately, it can cause death."

Shorb noticed her son was having a hard time walking in the second day that symptoms presented. Because of the blood flow being forced to his extremities, his joints became stiff.

"It caused kind of like arthritis," Shorb said.

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After a visit to the emergency room and testing to confirm his diagnoses, Josh was admitted to York Hospital Pediatrics for three days for an Intravenous Immunoglobulin treatment.

"It was hard," Shorb said. "You’re sitting there watching your child, and you’re hoping that the treatments that they’re giving him is going to save his life. You’re being told all of the worst things that can possibly happen to him, and you’re watching him sit there and struggle."

Josh recovered, and his mother described it as a miracle.

"It makes him extremely fortunate," she said. "He is one in a million."

Josh has follow-up visits to the doctor every three years. He has very few limitations outside of being bothered by extreme cold and heat and peeling of the skin sometimes.

Melissa Shorb said she continues to monitor her son for fevers, shortness of breath and other cardiac symptoms.

Josh said he is not bothered by the disease on a day-to-day basis as he rode his bright green scooter at the Gettysburg Recreational Park with his older brother.

He began fundraising three years ago through the Kids Heart Challenge, the American Heart Association program for schools formerly known as Jump Rope for Heart. The money goes toward "helping other kids with special hearts," according to the website.

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Every year, Josh goes around to different organizations like the Mason Dixon Chapter of Aliance of Bikers Aimed at Education (ABATE), Fairfield Amvets Post 172 and Blue Ridge Sportmans Association, all of which made sizable donations to the cause.

"I have a heart condition, and I want to help other kids with it," Josh said.

Melissa and Josh's grandmother, JoAnne Shorb, both sport tattoos of the Kawasaki disease ribbon. JoAnne described the ink, on her right forearm, as a "conversation starter."

Josh said he wants to continue making a difference for others battling heart issues.

"I couldn't be more proud as a parent of his compassion to others," Melissa Shorb said.

To donate to the American Heart Association, visit https://www.heart.org/.

To learn more about the Kids Heart Challenge, visit http://american.heart.org/kidsheartchallenge/about/.