Cartwright benefit set for Tuesday

A benefit for Steven Cartwright is planned for Tuesday, March 3. The son of Kevin and Vickie Cartwright, Steve underwent a heart transplant on Jan. 1, 2020.

It was a good start to a new year, as Steve’s health was rapidly declining. Just weeks before, Steve had seen a doctor for a persistent cough and was diagnosed with acute heart failure.

On Dec. 19, he was airlifted from Duluth to the University of Minnesota Hospital where it was determined that he would need a heart transplant. After just three days on the transplant waiting list, Steve went into the operating room to receive his new heart on New Year’s Eve day.

What has transpired since is nothing short of amazing. In the updates Steve’s father Kevin provided the “Transcript” Wednesday, he used that word repeatedly.

“We say ‘amazing’ at least 7 million times a day. There’s no other word for it,” Kevin said.

Steve’s recovery is going well, with the greatest challenges being managing the boredom and building his strength. The doctors say his body is doing exceptionally well at accepting (and not rejecting) the new heart.

Overall Steve has experienced no set backs and is looking forward to the end of March when he should be able to go home.

Doctors say it will likely be six months before he is able to return to work. However, he may be able to return sooner if his follow-up appointments continue to go so well.

The spaghetti feed and silent auction benefit will be held at the Eagles Club in New Rockford on Tuesday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The proceeds will help allieviate the financial burden of the ordeal, both loss of income and cost of medical treatment.