Submitted photo Pictured from left are Chris Gordon and his children, Josh, Anna and Seth, who are presenting a check from their lemonade stand fundraiser to Missy Dreckman, New Ulm Medical Center Foundation Director.

NEW ULM — The Gordon kids, Josh (12), Anna (9), and Seth (9), recently set up a lemonade stand with the purpose of raising funds for the New Ulm Medical Center.

The kids made a sign and took turns “twirling” it in their front yard on Broadway. With the help of many thirsty supporters, they were able to raise $110 that they donated to the New Ulm Medical Center Foundation.

The kids wanted to raise funds for health care because, about six years ago, their dad Chris had necrotizing fasciitis, a rare flesh-eating disease. According to the CDC, there are only about 700-1200 cases of this rare disease in the US each year.

Chris woke up with a huge bump on his elbow and before long his arm doubled in size. He went to the Emergency Room at the New Ulm Medical Center and ended up being transferred to Rochester, where he was hospitalized for 2 months.

He recovered within a year. He credits his fast recovery, in part, due to the physical therapy that he received at NUMC for months after his return home. Chris now shares his story and helps motivate others by public speaking and with his podcast “Scar Bearers.”

This isn’t the first fundraiser lemonade stand the Gordon kids have hosted, and they plan to have another one yet this summer. They are thinking the next one will raise funds for #teamtrees.

They requested that their donation go to the Emergency Patient Assistance Fund. This fund supports underserved patients with expenses due to a current or existing condition that has affected their ability to provide for their immediate needs.

Types of assistance include grocery or gas gift cards, prescription assistance, nutritional supplements, home medical equipment, pool therapy and home blood pressure monitors. Each year, the foundation supports nearly 100 patients in need.

“We are thankful for generous donors, like the Gordon family, who make this fund possible,” said Dreckman.