A local non-profit is looking to raise money to help children suffering with medical conditions.
Brian and Lori Rasmussen started The Harper Group after their granddaughter began her battle with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at the age of just 2 and a half.
“She was taken down to Children’s Hospital,” Lori explained. “She spent eight days down there, and a three-year treatment plan was devised. She is now a beautiful 11-year-old that is in Valders Middle School, and she’ll be in sixth grade this year.”
Lori and Brian explained to Seehafer News that the outpouring of support their family received from the community was amazing to see, leading them to want to give back.
“We did volunteer work with some other organizations in the area, so we did have a firm grasp on how important nonprofits are and what impact they make in the Manitowoc County area,” Brian said. “I mean, we have a lot of them. They all do a great job.”
The couple, who celebrated their 30th anniversary this year, noted that they started The Harper Group to widen the umbrella of care to any child with a critical illness.
“It could be cancer. It can be CPR, cerebral palsy,” Brian explained.
Lori expanded, noting they helped families with children suffering from “RSV, mild tubular myopathy, immune deficiency and those are just a few of the things that were brought to our attention right now.”
One child they helped was one we actually covered at the time, Henry Tyeptanar.
He has been battling Myotubular Myopathy his whole life and even got a chance to take a trip to Disney World thanks to the generosity of the community.
While the Rasmussens have been helping people for several years, The Harper Group only officially became an organization in 2023, but they have already made a significant impact.
Brian tells Seehafer News, “Right now, we’ve helped 11, and we just received an application yesterday, so that would be 12. And so far, we’ve given out $12,672.”
Lori noted that many private donations have been received, and several local businesses have also stepped up to help children get the medical care they need.
Lori summarized their efforts, saying, “Nothing gives us greater joy than to be able to have these families checks.”
You can learn more about the organization, and how you can donate by visiting HarperGroup.org or by emailing HarperGroupInfo@gmail.com.
