Kaldyn's Legacy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization founded in Laporte, is helping area families whose children are battling cancer.
Crystal and Jacob Erdmann created the foundation in honor of their nephew, Kaldyn Eichberg.
In May 2015, Kaldyn was diagnosed with a very rare form of Stage III brain cancer. He was 5 years old at the time.
"He went through seven brain surgeries, multiple MRIs, doctor visits, proton radiation. He would even fly to Philadelphia to do a trial treatment of shots," recalled Crystal. "He fought the cancer for two years, and he, unfortunately, passed away May 22 of 2017."
During the treatment, the Erdmanns organized a motorcycle ride benefit for Kaldyn.
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"He took everything that got thrown at him with brain cancer with a smile on his face through everything, and it was a smile that lit up everybody's world," Crystal said. "It amazed everybody that he could still be smiling with everything that happened, but he did."
As it turned out, the weather was rainy and cold the day of the first motorcycle ride. Jacob refused to cancel the ride, saying they could handle a little rain if Kaldyn could fight cancer. Eleven bikers participated.
"With that benefit, we raised over $13,000 for Kaldyn. It was amazing," Crystal recounted.
The next year, they held another ride and proceeds went to Kaldyn's family.
After Kaldyn passed away in 2017, the Erdmanns decided to continue the ride to either donate to cancer research or to another family in need.
"It was something in my husband's heart that he wanted to keep," she said.
They received their 501(c)(3) status in January 2018, and a third ride was held in August 2018.
In December, Kaldyn's Legacy Foundation donated to three families: Aden Munson, a 6-year-old in Nevis with a malignant brain tumor; Kaitlin Hunter, a three-year-old girl in Bemidji, and Remi Sconce, a 14-month-old in Laporte with neuroblastoma.
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"It's not a huge amount that we're able to give, but it really helped out," Crystal said.
Aden's mom, Christa Munson, expressed her appreciation.
She said there are very few foundations like this in northern Minnesota. Most are located in the southern part of the state. The timing of the donation was perfect, Munson continued, as the family planned to add on to their house, plus pay medical bills.
The foundation work is "really hard because it brings up a lot of emotions for us because we were so close" with Kaldyn and his family, Crystal said. "But the outcome and to see the family's faces when we can hand them a check, it makes it all so much worth it."
They wish the outcome would've been better for Kaldyn, "but we wanted to continue helping."
The 2019 Kaldyn's Legacy motorcycle ride is planned for the first Sunday of August. The four-hour trip will begin and end at Third Base Bar & Grill in Laporte. Kickstands go up at noon. Vehicles are also welcome.
More information is available on Kaldyn's Legacy Foundation's Facebook page.
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