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Inspired Teen Helps Others One Bracelet At A Time

CORAL GABLES (CBS4) - A South Florida student was so touched by the death of a young boy that she decided to try and help other young children by starting a grassroots organization called Knots of Hope.

Today, it has raised tens of thousands of dollars for kids in need – one bracelet at a time.

Priscilla Suzal-Wright, 17, it all started when her family adopted a boy named Kimante from the holidays through a program which helps kids in need.  She said they were essentially his Santa.

"He died when he was six, he was very tough," recalled Suzal-Wright. "He was on so much morphine. He was dying and he knew it."

Suzal-Wright said Kimante was in need of a bone marrow transplant. By the time he received it, it was too late and he died.

"I felt like the world was evil," said Suzal-Wright. "He was so innocent and there was nothing anybody could do."

Suzal-Wright said his death inspired her to do something to help other kids in need. She and her friends decided to make custom bracelets at events all over town; the proceeds of which go to the Miami Children's Hospital. So far, Suzal-Wright's Knots of Hope has raised more than $30 thousand for the hospital.

Last October the group received recognition from the City of Doral, which named a day for them, because of their dedication to raising money for kids in need and raising awareness for organ and tissue donations along with bone marrow transplants.

Suzal-Wright said Knots of Hope is just her first step toward helping kids in need. She said the day Kimante died she made another very big decision.

"I walked out of there a little destroyed. That's when I decided I wanted to do something, that's when I decided I wanted to be a doctor," said Suzal-Wright.

Since its inception, Knots of Hope has grown. It now includes girls from Suzal-Wright's high school Miami Coral Reef Senior High, Southwest Miami High, Terra Nova Environmental Research, John A. Ferguson High and Killian Senior High.

Click Here To Find Out More About Knots Of Hope

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