F. Hardcore Pawn star teams up with heart transplant patient

Everybody knows the Hardcore Pawn Chick has a heart of gold.

Ashley Gold, the former reality star of TruTV’s Hardcore Pawn, has created a personalized beaded bracelet that she’s selling on her website to benefit 16-year-old heart transplant patient Trevor Sullivan.

“My goal is to provide the greatest Christmas ever for Trevor and his family,” said Gold. “So many people have helped me along the way … when I heard about Trevor’s story I knew right away that I wanted to do something.”

“It’s the power of social media,” she said. “It can help change a life.”

Strength in numbers

Sullivan received his new heart in November 2015. He was on the road to recovery until last July, when he suffered what doctors believe is a rare reaction to a viral illness. As a result of the setback, the Southfield teenager spent several months recuperating at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor. He’s hoping to return to school later this month.

“He’s getting stronger, and that’s what counts,” his father, Phil Sullivan, said Monday.

In the meantime, the family has had plenty of support from the community. Trevor’s classmates at Groves High School included him in this year’s Homecoming Court, and a few of them even trekked over to the Sullivan house to help with lawn work. Other neighbors have formed a Meal Train to help with dinners.

A Go Fund Me page has been set up for the Sullivan family to help with some of the bills. Despite having insurance, the family is facing thousands of dollars in medical co-pays. In addition, Phil Sullivan has been missing work and staying at the hospital, while his wife Kimberly stays at home with their three other children.

Reality show vs. reality

It’s an unusual partnership: a former TV reality star teaming up with a heart transplant patient. Gold spent six years on Hardcore Pawn, which focused on the Gold family and their pawn shop off Eight Mile Road in Detroit.

She still travels the globe for speaking engagements, along with running a successful online jewelry business. She still enjoys the art of buying of selling.

But most of all, she enjoys being a mom.

"I have two young children, and it's impossible for me to even imagine what it would be like,” Gold said. “When I met Trevor, I promised him we would take this viral – and that’s exactly what I’m going to do!”

Gold said she also plans on working with Trevor to help promote organ donations.

“He has such an incredible attitude,” she said. “I met with him and his family at a restaurant, and he was showing me photos of his open heart surgery … he’s just so incredibly brave and he’s focused on helping out other people. I think that’s amazing.”