Dakota Duecy, junior secondary English education major, was life-flighted to Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City over winter break after experiencing a stroke caused by a rare congenital vascular defect. Duecy’s friends and family have organized a 5k walk/run scheduled for next weekend in order to help pay for his medical expenses.
Duecy was diagnosed with cerebral arteriovenous malformation – or AVM – a malformed connection between arteries and veins in the brain. He is currently recovering in his hometown of Pittsburg, Kan. and said that he is awaiting a follow up surgery at KU Medical Center in “a couple weeks.”
“I’ve just been resting, reading and going to therapy,” Duecy said. “[I’m] a little nervous about my follow up appointment though.”
Duecy’s girlfriend Brittany Rudd, a senior French secondary education major, currently student teaching at Pittsburg High School, said that Duecy “plans on coming back [to ESU] in August.” Rudd’s family and Duecy’s friends set up Triple D, a non-profit organization aimed towards raising funds to cover medical bills that Duecy’s current medical insurance cannot cover.
“He’s doing well,” said Rebecca Rowlison, senior secondary education major. “He’s able to get up, talk and get on Facebook. Brittany [Rudd] said he has a little trouble with short-term memory every now and then, but otherwise he’s doing well.”
Rowlinson helped coordinate the event with ESU. She said that “the HPER department was really great to work with.”
Rudd also said Duecy is really grateful for the support that the campus and the community has shown.
On the Triple D donation website, friends of Duecy describe him as “a great musician” and a “brilliant student with a long life ahead of him.”
Rowlison, who has known Duecy since they attended Pittsburg High School together, said Duecy plays drums.
The Dakota Duecy 5k Walk/Run starts at 9 a.m., Saturday, February 16 in the parking lot near the east entrance of the Memorial Union. Cost to participate for students is $25 for non-students it is $35. All 5k participants will be given a t-shirt.
“On the day of the 5k, 15% of the proceeds of every purchase at Orange Leaf will go towards his medical bills,” Rowlison said.
Rowlison said that Snip N Clip, Wheat State Pizza, Ideal Nutrition and Team Hope are among the other vendors donating money. Uncommon Threads are providing the t-shirts to be given to the 5k participants and any individual donating $20 or more.
Donation jars are also located at Wheat State Pizza, Ideal Nutrition, Textbook Corner, the William Allen White Library and throughout various places in the Memorial Union.
“The international education office and Sodexo have been really cool with us putting the jars out there,” Rowlison said.
Rowlison said Duecy worked in the office of international education and “has been working for Sodexo for about two years.”
Donations can also be sent through Paypal via the Triple D website or mailed to Triple D Donations, 602 W Oak St. Weir, KS 66781.
