Brooklyn Hansen, West Fargo, is a teenager whose life changed dramatically in July. A medical emergency resulted in 34 surgeries and procedures to save her limbs, treat severe infections, and repair damage caused by blood clots and strokes. Despite every effort to save her legs, Brooklyn ultimately underwent a double amputation. She continues to face additional surgeries, extensive rehabilitation, and a very long road to recovery.
Contributed / Lend A Hand Up
Dawn Throndset Kruk, Langdon, N.D., was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease at age 18. In her late 20s, she started experiencing many symptoms of PKD that progressed to her being placed on the donor list for a kidney transplant. On April 9, 2026, Dawn had a kidney transplant, along with the removal of both of her natural kidneys at Mayo in Rochester, Minn.
Contributed / Lend A Hand Up
Natasha “Tasha” Carlstad, Fargo, and her young daughter were involved in a serious car accident on the way to daycare and work in late April. Thankfully, her daughter was not injured, but Tasha was. Tasha suffered a severe head laceration, a concussion, a broken wrist, and multiple compression fractures in her back. Tasha is expected to be in a back brace for three months.
Upcoming fundraising events:
Contributed / Lend A Hand Up
Join us for the Summer Boost Kick-Off Picnic from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, at the Dakota Medical Foundation, 4321 20th Ave S., Fargo. Proceeds from the picnic will boost help for current and future families served by Lend A Hand Up. Learn more or RSVP at
https://dakotamedicalfoundation.ticketspice.com/2026-lahu-summer-boost-picnic
Lend A Hand Up is a 501c3 nonprofit subsidiary of Dakota Medical Foundation supporting area families experiencing hardship due to a health issue, recent loss of life, or traumatic event. Funds raised by Lend A Hand Up help families who reside within the program’s service area to include all counties in North Dakota and select counties in northwestern Minnesota to include Clay, Becker, Otter Tail, Wilkin, Wadena, Hubbard, Norman, Mahnomen, Clearwater, Polk, Red Lake, and Pennington. Gifts raised through Lend A Hand Up’s giving site increase in value by 20% due to generous Boost sponsors. The organization does not collect a fee from donations made to Lend A Hand Up recipients. To start a Lend A Hand Up fundraiser or support one, go to www.lendahandup.org or call 701-356-2661. Lend A Hand Up, 4321 20 Ave S, Fargo, N.D., 58103.
Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “staff.” Often, the “staff” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.