POST FALLS - Masin Hawkins' dream was to play high school basketball.

Now his biggest hope is for a heart donation.

The Post Falls High freshman has been in the intensive care unit at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane for the past month awaiting a heart transplant.

"It's been really hard," said Masin's mother Cindy, fighting back tears. "I can't describe it, especially since there was no warning.

"The hardest part has been that he loves BMX dirt biking and his dream was to play basketball in high school. This heart condition has taken that away."

Masin collapsed at Post Falls Middle School on March 15, 2010, due to a cardiomyopathy heart muscle disease that resulted in an enlarged heart.

"There was no signs or warning," Cindy said.

A school nurse applied CPR to revive Masin.

Masin later received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), an electrical impulse generator, and was placed on medications.

"We were told he may have to have a heart transplant, but we thought it would be years down the road," Cindy said.

A month ago, Masin was feeling extra tired and, following a checkup, he was admitted to ICU until he gets a heart. Masin had caught pneumonia the second week of school.

The ordeal has been an eye-opener for Cindy and her husband, Jeremy.

"We were blessed with a healthy family and didn't see this coming," Cindy said. "Now we're pushing for people to become donors because you don't think twice until the situation happens to you."

Brenden Flaa, a friend of Masin's for several years, said Masin's heart situation has brought the two closer together.

"When he got his heart condition, I think it was hard for him because Masin is an awesome athlete and he couldn't play any of the sports he liked," Flaa said. "I feel really bad about it.

"Masin and I will be friends for life and I can't imagine losing a friend like Masin. In no way does he deserve what he is going up against."

Cindy said Masin, 15, is keeping his spirits up as much as possible in the hospital and having friends visit helps.

"He has his days where he wants to go home and ride his bike again, and those are the days I need to be strong because it breaks your heart," Cindy said. "But he is ready for this (transplant) to happen."

Louise Heitz, a friend of the Hawkins family, said she recalled cleaning up at work and Masin and his friends showed up to help.

"He's a quiet kid, but if you ask Mason for anything, he'll be there for you," Heitz said. "He's been so active, and that's why this breaks my heart."

The community and Post Falls High are rallying to support Masin and his family with fundraisers to assist with non-medical costs during this time. The family has insurance to help pay for medical costs.

The Key Club will hold a staff vs. students dodgeball tournament on Thursday at 6 p.m. at PFHS. There will also be a spaghetti dinner with music by Kelly Hughes at the Post Falls Senior Center on Nov. 12 from 4-7 p.m. An adult fundraiser with food music will be held at Moon's Mongolian Grill in Post Falls on Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.

All of the fundraisers will have raffles and T-shirts and wrist bands for sale in support of Masin.

Ann Rosenbaum, Key Club advisor, said students hope the dodgeball tournament sends a message of hope for the Hawkins family.

"They are in our thoughts, and we want Masin to know that his school and classmates are fighting for him," Rosenbaum said.