Wood County native Krista Arnold has good news she wants to share.
Krista and her husband, Zack, this week awarded $24,590 through the Elle Foundation to three hospitals in California to help with a home monitoring program for infants born with congenital heart defects.
The Arnolds, who live in Bridgeport, formed the Elle Foundation after the death of their 5-week-old daughter Elle to complications from a congenital heart defect in 2008.
"In an effort to help focus our grief into something positive we decided to set up a nonprofit in her name to benefit research and treatment for CHDs," Krista said.
Set to receive this first monetary award are UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland. The proposals were evaluated on demonstration of financial need and commitment to program success, said Krista, president of the Elle Foundation.
The home monitoring equipment measures an infant's weight and oxygen saturation levels between the first surgery, when the baby is only hours or days old, and the next surgery at 4- to 6-months old. Studies show the outcomes for these babies are improved through this home monitoring equipment, Krista said.
To raise money for the Elle Foundation, Zack Arnold, a Waterford, Ohio, native and petroleum engineer, plans to run in the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon on March 16 in Washington, D.C.
Krista, a 1997 graduate of Parkersburg South High School, noted every dollar donated goes to the Elle Foundation to help children with congenital heart defects. The Arnolds pay for postage, a website and other costs associated with the foundation out of their own funds.
One out of every 100 children is born with a congenital heart defect, Krista said.
The Arnolds have three other children, Christian, 6, Caroline, 3, and Juliana, 1.
To contribute to the foundation go to www.theellefoundation.org. Information on Zack's marathon fundraising efforts is available at www.gofundme.com/runfortheirlives (scroll down and read the About This Page section for details).
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Fans of 1960s music will want to attend a fundraiser for Rick and Debbie Budgett of Parkersburg from 6-10 p.m. Nov. 24 at the Parkersburg City Park Pavilion. Rick is suffering from eosinophilic pneumonia, a life-threatening disease, while his wife, Debbie, is recovering from a spinal cord injury, a fractured neck and broken back suffered in a traffic accident, said John Gallagher, chairman of the fundraiser and local musician. Playing music from the '60s, including songs by the Beatles, the Byrds, Crosby, Stills & Nash, the Zombies and Motown groups, will be local bands Britain, Hope, Band of Brothers, Plan B and Work in Progress. Randy Jay will be master of ceremonies. Free admission, door prizes, 50/50 drawing and food and soft drinks for purchase. Donations will aid the Budgetts with medical and living expenses, Gallagher said.
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Joe Corra is expecting 3,000 runners, walkers and strollers to participate in the 34th annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning at Parkersburg City Park. Entries are ahead of last year when 2,700 people participated in the three-mile event, including parents pushing their young children in strollers, race director Corra said. Proceeds go to high school cross country teams, middle school running programs, scholarships and kids' running programs, Corra said. Turkeys will be given away. Sign up next Wednesday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at On the Run & Walk, 2903 Emerson Ave., or from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. (race time) on Thursday. Sponsors are Camden Clark Medical Center and On the Run & Walk store, with support from the River City Runners & Walkers Club.
Contact Paul LaPann at plapann@newsandsentinel.com
