Christian Peterson
reporter@riverbendnews.org
The Clayton family is in need of help after receiving devastating news. It all started in August 2024 when Ernie Clayton, the patriarch of the family, was taken to the emergency room with suspected pneumonia. However, it was revealed during the trip that Ernie was suffering from congestive heart failure. Doctors worked hard and discovered that his heart’s left-side ejection fraction was operating at only 10%, a level considered critically low.
Treatment began immediately, with Ernie being sent to a cardiologist at UF Shands in Gainesville. Despite all the work, six months, later in February 2025, there was no improvement. The medical team decided it would be best to transfer Ernie’s care to the Mayo Clinic, where he has been under care since May 2025.
In August 2025, a year after his first diagnosis, more devastating news came. Ernie underwent a restaging process, during which he was told that his heart was expected to fail within the year. Things took another turn for the worse in March 2026. Ernie’s symptoms were worsening, and after another restaging process, he was told that he may have six months or less to live.
In response to all this, Ernie began undergoing an evaluation for a heart transplant. This process involves 26 appointments with extensive testing and frequent trips to Jacksonville. This will begin with a tremendous financial strain on the family, as it includes transportation costs, lodging and other expenses. However, this is exacerbated if Ernie is approved for the heart transplant. Mayo Clinic will require patients and their caregivers to live near the hospital for three months following the procedure. This would include acquiring temporary housing for Miranda Clayton, Ernie’s wife.
Miranda has been the sole provider for the Clayton’s family of five, including the couple’s three children: Ellie (17), Wesley (14) and Camdyn (10). She has doubled down, working two jobs both at Lafayette State Bank in Branford and Sonny’s BBQ in Lake City. However, as Miranda has been designated as Ernie’s caregiver, approval of the transplant would require her to remain with him throughout his three-month recovery period. This means she will be unable to work during that time.
Due to all of this, the family is in need of the community’s support during this trying time. A car wash fundraiser will be held on Saturday, May 2, at Lafayette State Bank in Branford, located at 103 US 27. Another car wash fundraiser will be held on Saturday, May 9, at Lafayette State Bank in Live Oak, located at 106 Grand St. N.E.
For those unable to make it to either fundraiser or wishing to provide in a different way, there are two other ways to help. There is a GoFundMe available by searching “Donate to Support Ernie’s Heart Transplant Journey.” A donation account has also been created at Lafayette State Bank under the name “Miranda Clayton – Donation Account.”