North Dakota
Minnesota man braves blizzard to deliver kidney to North Dakota hospital
![Minnesota man braves blizzard to deliver kidney to North Dakota hospital Minnesota man braves blizzard to deliver kidney to North Dakota hospital](https://kstp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/road-closed-snow-storm-blizzard-file.jpg)
A Minnesota artificial a 400-mile drive by a blizzard to move a kidney to a hospital in North Dakota, the place a person in kidney failure was ready for a transplant.
“If there’s an organ that’s going to a recipient, we’re going to get it to the place it must go,” stated Lucas Baker, with Trinity Medical Options.
Baker stated he obtained the decision from LifeSource, the organ procurement group serving Minnesota and the Dakotas, the evening earlier than Christmas Eve.
“The kidney was speculated to get on a business flight out of MSP, however due to the snowstorm, that was not potential. The entire flights had been grounded,” stated Meg Rogers, director of transplant middle relations at LifeSource. “Each minute issues in a state of affairs like this. Time was ticking.”
Baker stated he knew journey could be treacherous however nonetheless felt compelled to make the journey.
A highway is closed attributable to blizzard situations. (KSTP/file)
“No query in my thoughts we had been going to get it to Bismarck,” Baker stated. “It’s a severe factor, and all of us take it actually significantly.”
Baker stated the six-hour drive become a 13-hour trek by blinding snow.
“It obtained fairly horrible after Fargo. I used to be driving by snow drifts on I-94. There was virtually no visibility. I believe it was 40 to 50 mile-an-hour wind gusts and blowing snow,” Baker stated.
The highways in North Dakota ended up getting shut down attributable to harmful situations.
“There was really a semi caught in the midst of the highway, and I couldn’t get round him. At that time, I rotated and tried to backtrack, however the snow drifts had been the entire width of the highway. That’s after I obtained caught in a snow pile,” Baker stated. “Truthfully, that was when it actually hit me what sort of a state of affairs I used to be in. I solely had 60 miles left in my tank and I used to be in the midst of nowhere.”
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS requested the 911 name of Baker calling for assist.
Within the audio, Baker could be heard saying, “I’m caught within the highway on a detour proper now.”
Dispatchers advised him they’d ship a deputy to assist however that journey was not suggested in a lot of the state.
He responded, “However I’ve a boxed kidney in my automobile that should get to the hospital.”
Deputy Mercedez Holzworth with the Stutsman County, North Dakota, Sheriff’s Workplace responded to the decision.
“To me, yeah, it was very private,” Holzworth stated. “My sister really had 4 liver transplants.”
Holzworth stated she at all times retains a shovel in her squad automobile and determined to attempt to dig Baker out herself whereas ready for a tow truck.
“I simply knew this was one thing that wanted to be accomplished,” Holzworth stated. “I believed, properly perhaps if we are able to get him shoveled out simply sufficient to get him going, he can get on his manner and make it to the place he wanted to go.”
The tow truck was finally in a position to pull Baker’s SUV out of the snow so he might end the final 100 miles to the hospital.
Baker stated regardless of the highways being closed, he was allowed to proceed the drive with a snow plow forward of him.
He finally made it to Sanford Hospital in Bismarck, the place the transplant recipient was being prepped for surgical procedure.
“They had been in all probability knowledgeable, like, ‘Hey, this factor could not make it.’ So I bear in mind after I walked into the OR, it was six or seven nurses and you possibly can inform it was a shock that I simply walked by the door,” Baker stated.
That kidney ended up saving a person’s life.
Jerry Bernal had been on the transplant record since October, in stage 5 kidney failure.
“I simply carry on remembering what folks inform me: ‘Have religion, have religion,’” Bernal stated. “And it needed to be God making a path for the motive force that evening. He might’ve simply referred to as his boss and stated, ‘Oh, I can’t get right here.’ ? However I believe God touched all of them and made a path to get the kidney right here on time.”
Family members arrange a GoFundMe web page to assist in his restoration.
Bernal stated the kidney was a near-perfect match and he’s anticipated to return residence Friday.
“That driver, risking his personal life to provide me the reward of life, there should not sufficient phrases to precise how grateful I’m,” Bernal stated. “It was the very best Christmas me and my household might have, and that is going to be remembered endlessly.”
In response to information compiled by LifeSource from the Minnesota Division of Public Security, 56% of Minnesotans checked the field on the DMV to enroll as organ donors in 2022.
Individuals who want to register as an organ donor can accomplish that on LifeSource’s web site.
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
North Dakota
United Liberian Association of North Dakota to celebrate Liberia Independence Day
Fargo — “We have been in the Fargo Moorhead area, you know, most of the time. You know the community. You know our host. They don’t see us. You know, very often. we want to ensure that, you know, we showcase, you know, the number of people, the Liberian people, that live here,” said Zlandorper Behyee, Treasurer of ULAND.
The United Liberian Association of North Dakota is celebrating Liberia Independence Day in Fargo for the 15th year, and organizers say instead of a hosting it in a community hall, they’re bringing the festivities outdoors.
“We’re looking at unity, coming together, bringing our community together, recognition and also diversity within our community where we live,” said ULAND President Ebenezer Saye.
Liberia was the first nation on the African continent to gain its independence from the U.S. on July 26, 1847.
Starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, the organization will host a soccer game for boys and girls at the Pepsi Soccer Complex in north Fargo.
At 5 p.m., there will be a formal program with city officials.
Throughout the festivities, organizers say there will be African music, food, and traditions.
My name is Anne Sara, better known as Sara.
I was born an only child in Port-au-prince, Haiti and moved to the U.S at the age of 2.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is where I was raised.
After graduating with my bachelor degree at Albright College, I moved to Florida to continue my studies.
WDAY is the reason why I moved to North Dakota.
North Dakota
North Dakota State Fair kicks off Friday
![North Dakota State Fair kicks off Friday North Dakota State Fair kicks off Friday](https://gray-kvly-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EHA2H2I5RJCWRNI6V7AMEKATMU.jpg?auth=7af842109c66fa375a188e8800f2edbaee152e9aa81f0d684f078002cc910d39&width=1200&height=600&smart=true)
MINOT, N.D. (Valley News Live) – The 2024 North Dakota State Fair opens on Friday, July 19, and runs through July 27 with a lineup packed full of entertainment, rides, and family fun.
Fair organizers say the Grandstand Showpass is your ticket to some hot acts in the country music scene, such as Lainey Wilson, Sawyer Brown, Turnpike Troubadours, and Thomas Rhett, along with a demolition derby and the MHA Indian Horse Relay. You can catch all of the acts with the Showpass for $130.
Single ticket shows are also available, including Mötley Crüe with special guest White Reaper, Machine Gun Kelly with Shaboozey opening the show, and hip-hop icon Lil Wayne.
Tickets are available for $85 for Mötley Crüe, $75 for Machine Gun Kelly, and $65 for Lil Wayne, with both standing room and reserved seating options available.
A season gate pass for all nine days at the fair costs $25. You get tickets online by using the “TICKETS” link at www.ndstatefair.com
It’s the 59th year of the North Dakota State Fair tradition in Minot. Fair officials say they drawing over 300,000 visitors annually.
Copyright 2024 KVLY. All rights reserved.
North Dakota
North Dakota delegates react to former President Trump’s RNC speech
![North Dakota delegates react to former President Trump’s RNC speech North Dakota delegates react to former President Trump’s RNC speech](https://gray-kfyr-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KCMVPBGUGNHPPM7KUPYZCC2E7Q.png?auth=05675eb255701cdb0919242d0dd11984a8a15914363b79095e3eeda7f917f376&width=1200&height=600&smart=true)
MILWAUKEE (KFYR/KMOT) – The Republican National Convention wrapped up on Thursday with former President Donald Trump accepting the Republican nomination for president.
We got the chance Thursday night to speak with members of the North Dakota delegation. When we spoke to the delegates, they talked about the enthusiasm that former President Trump brought onto the stage just a week after that assassination attempt on his life.
“Well, it was exciting. He told his story in a very frank way. And it sounds like a very unique way he’s done. It’s not like he’s going to tell it that way again,” said Ben Koppelman, delegate.
“His message was amazing is we just got to make this country great again and get back to what we’re good at working hard drilling for oil, just making America great again,” said Mary Graner, delegate.
“Well, it was longer than I thought it was going to be for sure. But, you know, he gets portrayed as the guy that sows division, and he did just the opposite,” said Scott Louser, delegate.
“Amazing. I mean, breathtaking. It was so awesome. You just felt full of hope and gratitude and promise for our country,” said Wendi Baggaley, delegate.
We spoke with more of our delegates about a whole range of topics, and we will have more follow-ups in the coming days.
Copyright 2024 KFYR. All rights reserved.
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