Brandy's Emotional Celebration for Fan in Need of Transplant
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When Brandy learned about 16-year-old Jessica Harris and her desperate need for a heart transplant, the R&B singer and "Dancing with the Stars" contender invited the fellow McComb, MS hometown girl and longtime fan to meet her on Sunday -- and only ET was there for their emotional introduction!
"It's like a dream come true," said a tearful Jessica upon meeting her idol. "I've always looked up to her as a little girl." Brandy replied, "We're going to try to make every dream you have come true."
Brandy introduced Jessica and her brother, mother and father to her own family, including daughter Sy'rai, and they partied in style with a birthday cake (she turns 17 next month) and dinner that included savory fried chicken, jambalaya and sweet potato pie amid Halloween decorations. This is Jessica's first time in California, and Brandy gave her the royal treatment, including a limousine pick-up, a mani-pedi and a tour of the city in addition to dinner together Sunday and an opportunity to watch her perform live on "Dancing with the Stars" on Monday.
"I heard about Jessica Harris from my mom; her story was in the local paper in our hometown and the story just completely moved me. I was in tears and I was just really touched," Brandy told ET.
Jessica has hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and due to complicated reasons, insurance will not cover a desperately needed heart transplant until January, but by then it may be too late.
"Jessica needs a heart transplant -- I want to do whatever it takes to put her story out there to get her help. People can donate. If any doctors are interested in helping her, any hospitals that are interested, this is why I'm doing this," said Brandy. "It is a race against time."
"She has an amazing story, and for me to be a part of it is amazing; I just want to be a part of her life in any way I can," said Brandy, in tears, upon meeting Jessica. "I just think creating special memories for someone like her is so important."
For more information on how to help Jessica, go to http://www.thejessicaharrisdream.com.
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