6-year-old organ transplant recipient, Lufkin UPS driver form a special friendship

6-year-old organ transplant recipient, UPS driver form a special friendship
By Khyati Patel | July 23, 2018 at 10:20 PM CDT - Updated August 9 at 5:11 PM

JASPER COUNTY, TX (KTRE) - Parson Blue Herrington's family would tell you of her love for UPS drivers and her plans to be one when she grows up.

Her fascination with UPS began as deliveries started pouring in when the family started a book drive called Parson Blue Book Club to give back to Texas Children's Hospital.

"And most of those (packages and books) were delivered by our friendly UPS drivers," said Jennifer Herrington, Parson's mother.

For some time, Parson walked around believing UPS drivers were all men.

"We repeated that drive this last year, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and much to our surprise, when we rushed out to greet the UPS man one day, it was a UPS lady," Herrington said.

The UPS lady was Tammy Patrick.

"Then one day she met me, and she wanted to be a UPS driver like me. So that's how Parson and I started talking and becoming friends," Patrick said.

Parson and UPS driver Tammy Patrick quickly developed a bond and became friends; some would say even best friends.

"She stole my heart. This little girl came into this world struggling for every breath just to stay alive. And she's a big fighter. And I believe she will go far in life no matter what she wants," Patrick said.

Parson was born with a rare genetic disorder that did not allow her to breathe on her own. But at 11-months-old, she was given a set of lungs from a donor which saved and changed life.

Now, not only does Patrick deliver the packages, but their friendship has taken a step further, giving Parson boosts of encouragement. Just a month ago Parson was back in the hospital for another round of testing.
"I knew she was going and I had a next day air package, some medicine, so on way down here I was just thinking how can I encourage this kid you know. It's hard. I can't imagine being a little kid and going into a hospital like that," Patrick said.
Patrick is inspiring confidence in a young girl who admires her as a hero, a role model, and her best friend.

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