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BOUNTIFUL — A community fundraiser for a child recovering from his second heart transplant has run into a setback.
Organizer Micall Ledingham says donations and gift cards for an upcoming event were stolen after she left them inside her car overnight.
"I woke up around 10 to my husband calling me, asking where my car was at," Ledingham explained. "I thought he was joking, and I look out and it's not there."
Ledingham says her 2004 black Ford Explorer was taken from her driveway, at her Rose Park home. Along with the few hundred dollars in donations, were also about $3,400 worth of photography equipment.
"I feel horrible. I'm just sick about all of it," Ledingham said.
The donations were for a fundraising event to be held this Saturday, for 4-year-old Kelsen Wood. He had his first heart transplant as a baby and another one last August.
"When he was 6 months old, he just started showing symptoms of heart failure," Kelsen's father, Josh Wood explained. "We had to rush to the hospital."
While every bit of help counts, Josh Wood pointed out that he's met many other families who have also struggled through organ transplants for their children.
"We could use the help, but there's plenty of other people out there that could use the help as well," he said. "We've met so many people in our little adventure over the last four years with Kelsen that have more needs than us, or just as many needs as us."
Nikki Wood said their experience also shows the importance of organ donation.
"Kelsen wouldn't be here without both of his organ donors," she said. "We just want other people to realize that you can save up to eight lives when you become an organ donor."
Kelsen's fundraising event will be held at the LDS meetinghouse at 1476 N. 300 W. in Bountiful, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
The Wood family has set up a donation page* where they hope to raise funds not only for them but also for other families they've met who have gone through organ transplants as well.
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
