Pizza Hut Fundraiser This Wednesday • Howard Fundraiser This Saturday Two fundraisers are planned this week, with proceeds benefiting Gracie Lou Mast. On Aug. 11, Gracie was kicked in the chest by a ranch horse, as she was awaiting her turn to ride.
“Despite trying my best to instill in my girls proper behavior and safety around horses, Gracie’s excitement got the best of her,” stated her mother Brandi Mast. “While waiting her turn to have another ride on the new horse at our house, she hurried up to the back half of the horse and tried to pet him,” she continued.
The family admini stered CPR until Greenwood and Wilson County EMS arrived on scene. She was transferred by helicopter to a Wichita hospital.
Despite being kicked by a horse, Gracie did not have a single broken bone, brain or spinal injuries and regained use of her arms and legs. However, she did receive a level four injury (out of five) to her liver and battled two viral infections and a blood infection that led to endocarditis (an infection of the lining or valves of the heart). Gracie spent two full weeks at Children’s Mercy in Wichita before being released. She continues to receive continuous antibiotics through a PICC line and has weekly appointments in Wichita for the doctors to monitor her progress.
Gracie celebrated her fifth birthday on Sept. 3 by being released to begin pre-kindergarten.
A Pizza Hut fundraiser will be held in Eureka this Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Customers are asked to mention the fundraiser when ordering, with 20% of the sales going to assist the family with medical and travel expenses.
This Saturday, Sept. 21, a Mountain Oyster/ Fish Fry fundraiser will be held in conjunc tion with the West Elk Fall Festival, in downtown Howard. The free-will donation event will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will feature Mountain Oysters, Fried Fish, Chicken Strips, French Fries, Baked Beans, Coleslaw, Drinks, Live Music and Raffle prizes.
Monetary donations to assist with Gracie’s medical expenses may be sent to Zach and Brandi Mast c/o The Eureka Herald, PO Box 590, Eureka, KS 67045.
(Courtesy photo)
