Week 9 - Pulling at the Heart Strings

The Valley City Times Record has been following the story of seven month old Paityn Elstrom who was born with a failing liver. Initially she received surgery to correct the situation. Unfortunately, the surgery was not successful and her only chance of survival is for a liver transplant.

The Valley City community has rallied around the little girl because of so many family connections in the community. Her parents grew up in and around Valley City. She has grandparents and other close relatives in the community.

Father Jason’s 5 year old cousin started a fundraiser in his elementary classroom to help fund the enormous medical bills. Before he knew it, he raised $1300. Since then there has been a benefit to help as well as an account at Bank Forward in Valley City. Dakota Medical Foundation’s Lend A Hand program matched $5000 during the benefit.

It’s such a heartwarming case of a good, hard working young couple starting their family with such challenges. And to see pictures of little Paityn you just want to help her get a fair chance of growing up big and strong.

Many parts of this story are amazing to me. First, how far medical science has come. I can hardly imagine have a piece of someone else keeping me alive. About 2 ½ years ago my 24 year old nephew found out he had only one kidney and that kidney was failing. He had no idea before a life insurance physical that there was anything wrong. His best shot was for a transplant and his older sister gave him life. He is doing great and living a full life – with a changed attitude. He was a bit inside himself much of his growing up years and all the sudden he’s so full of sharing and life – but that’s another story.

The other thing that amazes me is how even during very tough financial times, people will rally to help others with needs more than our own. It’s humbling to know that this little girl needs all of us to help her survive this. And even though it may be difficult to share the little we have, we will do it because it’s the right thing to do and we feel great doing it. Good human nature succeeds no matter what!