From Food Safety News Today:

A four-year old Grand Island, Nebraska girl needs our help, Food Safety News Publisher Bill Marler says.

Rory Thorpe, born with spina bifida four years ago, contracted E. coli last October from an unknown source.  The child is currently being treated for kidney complications linked to E. coli O157:H7 at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital in Iowa City.

A Rory Thorpe Benefit Fund has been set up at Centris Federal Credit Union, 3406 W. State Street, Grand Island, NE 68803.  The phone number is (308) 382-3060.  A community carnival to raise money for Rory’s medical bills is being held from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, June 23 at the United Congregational Church, 405 E. Bismarck, Grand Island NE.

Marler has issued a challenge to Food Safety News readers to contribute to the Rory Thorpe Benefit Fund with a match up to a total of $2,500 against those contributions.   The Grand Island Independent has more information on Rory and the fundraising efforts that are underway.

And, while we are at it, let’s support the Owen E. Carrignan. Sports Scholarship Fund c/o Millbury Federal Credit Union 50 Main St Millbury MA 01527.  I will match up to the first $1,000.  Owen recently died of E. coli O157:H7 – also from and unknown cause.

Also, although a fund has yet been established, let’s remember that the Louisiana State Health Department announced last week announced that New Orleans area 21-month-old Maelan Elizabeth Graffagnini died of E. coli O145.

All these kids became sick and/or died for hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).