Fund-Raiser Held for Teen With Leukemia

WESTMINSTER —  Stephanie Gorman, who lost a leg to leukemia, is dreaming of a summer filled with horseback riding and in-line skating.

To help make this dream possible, the Westminster Elks Club held a fund-raising barbecue and dance on Saturday to help the 17-year-old buy a flexible artificial leg that will enable her to participate in the athletic activities that she loves.

“The leg will help me to do things that I wouldn’t be able to do, things that I used to do before I lost my leg,” Gorman said.

Gorman’s leg was amputated in December, 1992, after a yearlong battle with leukemia.

The Westminster Elks Lodge, of which Gorman’s grandfather, Don Grous, is an associate member, has raised more than $23,000 so far in a series of fund-raisers that they began holding after the teen-ager lost her leg, lodge member Steve Stockett said.

Saturday’s event added another $1,085 to help the teen-ager, he said.

Gorman’s first artificial leg cost $27,000, an amount that was only 50% covered by insurance. The organization raised money to help pay for that leg and are now trying to finance a second leg.

While the artificial leg she has now enables Gorman to walk, it is not flexible enough for athletic activity, she said.

Stockett called the teen-ager courageous and praised her for keeping a positive attitude, despite the hardships she has faced.

Gorman said the support of the lodge members, who she said she has grown very close to over the last year, has helped her remain strong.

“With all of the big causes out there, I’m amazed that they would take the time to help me,” Gorman said of the Elks.

“I’m really thankful.”