Posted: Friday, January 24, 2014 4:56 pm
By Kimberly Sutton
Halle Ludwig, 12, is in desperate need of a new kidney. Friends and family are hosting a fundraiser for her from 5-11 Saturday at Mama J’s Restaurant in South Montgomery County.
Ludwig continues to need community support in her ongoing battle, according to Doug Sarant, who is helping her family promote the fundraiser.
Several items have been donated for tonight’s event, including a signed photo and jersey from Houston Rocket James Harden, an autographed picture and basketball from Houston Rocket Omer Asik, an autographed copy of “Lone Survivor” by Navy Seal Marcus Luttrell, and a signed baseball from Chicago Cub Ryne Sandberg.
“The community has absolutely rallied for all of us during this time of need,” said Ludwig’s mother, Christine Clinkenbeard.
Her brother, a TWHS Highlander football player, Layne Cole Ludwig, and his friends have helped with raising money, Sarant said.
TWHS Student Council members raised $1,000 for the Children’s Organ Transplant Association in honor of Halle by selling T-shirts; and neighbors in the community have rushed to help by starting a meal train to help ease the stress at home.
“It has been simply amazing,” Clinkenbeard said.
Currently, Halle’s kidney is functioning at about 10-15 percent. Her uncle is being tested to see if he is a match.
“If my uncle is a match, we will immediately schedule the removal of the kidney,” Clinkenbeard said. “She will then undergo six weeks of hemodialysis three times weekly while she heals from the surgery. After a six-week recovery time, she will then be transplanted.”
Sponsors of tonight’s event include La Hacienda Treatment Facility, BMW, Holiday World and the Terre Haute Firefighters Union Local 758.