LARNED — This Sunday, the residents of Larned have the opportunity to take part in a special story shared by two families at a freewill donation lunch fundraiser at the Larned Community Center.
CT Taylor is coming home in time for Christmas.
After a three-month health battle, Taylor received a heart transplant last week at a Kansas City hospital and is on the mend.
Family friend Anna Cooper, who has organized Sunday’s event, noted that CT has spent more time in the hospital than home for more than the past two months. Since September, medical expenses have been accumulating as CT has experienced two heart attacks, three strokes, being life-flighted, “weeks upon weeks of ICU stays” and countless procedures.
He was working for the City of Larned but was let go for missing work; the family is now struggling with insurance issues in the midst of CT’s medical issues.
“He’s been sick since September,” said Cooper, who works as a personalized nutrition therapist at Larned State Hospital. “Time has been a blur.”
In town, the Coopers and the Taylors have been close friends since their sons, both 9 years old, were at daycare together. “They’ve been inseparable ever since, so naturally our families have been hanging out together,” Cooper said. “It just fell into place.”
Through the fall, CT’s wife Tonya has been at her husband’s side as much as possible in Kansas City; in the meantime, their son Grayson has been staying with the Coopers. “I told Tonya that even on a good day, it takes a village to keep a family together.”
As a close friend, “I can’t even imagine what it has been like to go through this.”
The menu for Sunday’s event is both Christmassy and simple. “We’ll be having chili, chicken noodle soup and a variety of desserts,” Cooper said. The event advertised on Facebook was seen by staff at the Great Bend Tribune. “I hope that we’re doing a good enough job of getting the word out,” Cooper said. “Tonya has been driving all over Kansas to be at CT’s side through all of this, and Grayson can’t wait for his daddy to come back home. Please come out and show your support for this incredible family.”
The fundraiser runs from 11 a.m. through 1 p.m.
