A heart for Heidi Kay Ewell fundraiser set for Saturday at noon during the fair

By By

Heidi Kay-Ewell was born Sept. 11, 1977. She is the oldest child of Terry and Lori Kay of Huntington. When she was 6 months old she went to her doctor for a cold. His nurse Mary found a heart murmur and sent her immediately to Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake.
Dr. George Veasy diagnosed Heidi with a Ventricular Septal Defect with transposed vessels. Because of these two abnormalities her heart was compensating. She continued with 6 month check-ups until age 4. When she had a heart cath.
She continued to do well until age 14 when it was determined she would need surgery to repair the hole between the chambers of her heart. Her open heart surgery was scheduled for Sept. 16, 1991 where she would need a valve replacement and a piece of dacron material sewn between the chambers of her heart to repair the hole. On Sept. 18, 1991 the President of the United States, George Bush Sr., visited with Heidi and her parents (what are the odds?). On Sept. 24, 1991, Heidi was able to return to her ninth grade Canyon View Jr. High classes. Heidi continued to live an active life, participating in high school volleyball and softball where her coach nicknamed her “No Fear.” Eight years later Heidi’s replaced valve was checked for leakage, all was well.
In December 2013 after her dad’s heart attack, Heidi also started to have chest pains. The Castleview hospital sent her to the Utah Valley Cardiac Clinic, who then sent her back to Primary Childrens.
She had another heart cath, which revealed she is currently in the early stages of heart failure.
Her left side is no longer compensating and before age 40 she will need a heart transplant.
Heidi decided to live one of her bucket list dreams on June 27. Heidi and her friend Melissa Jeppson went to Fenway Park in Boston, Mass. Where Heidi caught a foul ball off of Dustin Pedroia in the second inning of the game… What are the odds?
During the Emery County Fair on Aug. 3 there will be a medical benefit fundraiser for Heidi. A silent auction will be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. A live auction will be held at noon under the pavilion. Items include a quilt, saddle stand, two tons of hay, a bow and much more. Raffle tickets are being sold for a Savage 7 mag gun, 150 pounds of ground beef, Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley concert tickets, quilt and a $50 gas card. Tickets are available at BKs and Utah Power and Light Credit Union and can be purchased at the fair. The drawing will be on Aug. 3.
All funds raised will go towards Heidi’s heart transplant and related medical expenses. Heidi is married to Rodney Ewell of Huntington and is mom to three step daughters.
For more on Heidi, See Todays Paper.