Will honor Harley McDonald
The McDonald family of Scranton is hosting the second annual Pullin’ for Harley Truck Pull Saturday, May 27, at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Jefferson. The action begins at 5 pm with food and drinks available on site.
The event is a fundraiser for the H.D. McDonald PICU – Burn Center at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City. The McDonalds have a goal of $100,000.
Wide Open Diesel Performance of Jefferson is in charge of organizing the event.
Harley was the son and brother of Angelina (Nina) and Marty McDonald, Briella, Jerzee and Bailey of rural Scranton. He and his friend Lucas were involved in a terrible fire early New Year’s morning in 2022. The cabin caught on fire while the boys were asleep.
Lucas awoke to find Harley fully engulfed in flames. He saved Harley’s life by his quick actions and determination to help his best friend. Harley suffered burns on more than 90 percent of his body and Lucas received severe burns to his hands, arms, and face while trying to save Harley.
Both young men were transferred to the UI Burn Center. Harley was treated in Room 314 of the PICU. He survived 13 days but succumbed to his injuries on Jan. 14, 2022.
Harley was an avid motocross rider and enjoyed everything from dirt bikes to snowmobiles, farming to pulling his truck at the local truck pulls.
Harley’s motocross number was 314. When he was moved from the burn unit to the PICU due to the extent of his injuries, his room was No. 314.
“We took this as a sign as this is where he was supposed to be. Our time at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital was not a fun experience but a genuine one. We believe our son’s team of doctors, surgeons, and nursing staff did all they could do for Harley, and because of their knowledge and quick actions, we were able to have Harley here with us for 13 more days,” wrote Nina McDonald.
“Even though we would love this to be a story of survival rather than memories, we hope our story gives others the hope needed to hang on and know they can endure so much more than they think possible.
“With your help, we can return the support to the surgeons, doctors, and nursing staff that supported us and our son during our 13 days at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. Their love and compassion to our son Harley, to our friends and family, and to us and our girls, was beyond exceptional,” continued Nina. “Their knowledge and quick response times allowed Harley to survive 13 days longer than he was expected to after suffering third and fourth degree burns to his body, inside and out.
“Their knowledge was top notch and they were always brainstorming ways to help Harley survive while working endlessly around the clock and staying on top of any adjustments necessary for his care.
“Our goal is to name room No. 314 in memory of Harley. The money raised will go toward the continuing education efforts for the doctors, surgeons, and nursing staff in the PICU and Burn Center. Our mission is to keep the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital and University of Iowa’s Burn Treatment Center one of the best in the region,” added Nina. “Our primary goal is set at $100,000, which will help fund further education and provide the tools necessary for these individuals to stay up to date with the latest technology and knowledge to help the patients they care for now and in the future.
“We hope you will join us in our fundraising efforts to give back to these two areas as we strive for a better tomorrow.
Gift will improve treatments for future patients in the following ways:
1. Continuing education for doctors, surgeons, nursing staff in the PICU and Burn Treatment Center
2. Scholarship opportunities for the Fellowship students interested in the PICU and Burn Treatment career.
Persons who want to donate can attend the May 27 event or click here.
