Kayden Gale Benefit

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The benefit held for Kayden Gale, son of Tammy and Josh Gale, and grandson of Lori and Garth Labrum, was held at Cottonwood Elementary on Dec. 2. Thanks to the generous community members, they raised more than $13,000 to help pay the medical expenses of Kayden who underwent kidney transplant surgery on Nov. 14.
Kayden was born Oct. 13, 2004 and was a normal sized baby. During his first week of life, he lost more than 10 percent of his body weight. The search for the reasons that he could not gain weight led to the discovery that his kidneys were only a fraction of the size they should have been. At two weeks of age, he was labeled, “failure to thrive.”
During a stay at the American Fork hospital at three weeks of age, Kayden was diagnosed with hypoplastic kidneys. This meant that his kidneys had stopped growing before he was born, and at three weeks, he had kidney failure.
For the next year, Kayden spent many days in hospitals. A feeding tube was installed and shot regimens were settled on. He was fed highly fortified formula through the tube and his parents had to give him nine shots a week to regulate his blood and give him the hormones he needed for growth.
In July of this year, Kayden’s kidneys began to fail again. He was added to the national transplant list on Nov. 6, and on Nov. 13 word came that a potential donor kidney was available. The surgery was performed on Nov. 14.
“Our heartfelt thanks goes out to all the businesses and the community for the overwhelming support at the benefit,” said grandparents Lori and Garth Labrum. “Josh and Tammy, who are in Salt Lake with Kayden also send their thanks.” The family appreciates the efforts of the fundraising committee also.
The family will be working with the Children’s Organ Transplant Association to help raise money to assist in Kayden’s medical related expenses. Donations can still be made to COTA at the Wells Fargo Bank in Castle Dale or at Cottonwood Elementary attention Carol Stilson.