A local soldier is facing two battles. The Patriotic Father from Morton was set to go to Afghanistan soon. But, his one-year-old daughter is battling for her life.

Just days ago Specialist Matt Heeren was preparing to deploy from Fort Bragg North Carolina to Afghanistan at the end of the month.
The soldier, whom already served in Iraq twice, was planning on saving more lives overseas but put that on hold as his one year old daughter is fighting for her own life.

"I just love my daughter and it's a decision I had to make out. I'm here for her," Matt Heeren says.

Heeren says his daughter Breanna is also a fighter. Scars mark the back of her head after having surgery Thursday morning.
The one year old was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation- meaning her brain stem was pushing on her spinal cord. Her family and friends are holding on for her life.

"Coming from the medical stand point I know they just tell us 'keep it day by day' and just hope for the best and just have a lot of faith," Breanna's Mom Ashley Heeren says.

Faith is what loved one's are holding on to. Her father comes in only days after she was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis yet another medical distress Breanna's battling.

"The poor thing I don't think she has a clue what's going on. To me, I feel that's the most unfortunate thing for her," Matt's Army Friend Sgt. Lee Wagner says.

But friends are holding Breanna close to their hearts as they know just like her father- she'll stride to win this battle.

"We're pretty much fighters, and I know my daughter, she's not the kind of person who I don't see giving up," Matt Heeren says

Specialist Matt Heeren says he was demobilized from his Fort Brag Unit set to leave for Afghanistan later this month. But, Heeren says he remains on the Reserve list.

Breanna's family has set up an account for donations to help fight her medical battle at Regions bank under Breanna Heeren.