Friends, family organize online auction for Travis Kelchen

     Friends and family of Travis Kelchen have been working hard to organize an online silent auction benefit following Kelchen’s recent heart transplant and ongoing medical costs.

     On May 13, Kelchen, 31 years old, received his heart transplant at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. He has remained at Mayo, with an initial release date of Aug. 13. Kelchen’s sister, Nicole Reyner, said her brother’s doctors are so happy with his progress that the release date has been moved up to Aug. 10.

     He was initially admitted back in mid-March.

     “He’s doing good,” Reyner relayed. “He’s had issues with his kidneys, and has to go through dialysis three times a week. His kidneys aren’t 100 percent back to functioning the way they should.”

     Reyner said Kelchen’s health post-surgery is not anything the medical team did not expect to see.

     He has lost his voice, which Reyner said has been very upsetting for him because he’s not able to visit with people, whether in-person or over the phone. He is getting botox injections to help with his vocal cords.

     “They’re pleased with his progress so far,” she added.

     Kelchen’s parents, Shelly and Ron Kelchen, have been traveling to Mayo once or twice a week to be with him.

     Reyner said one surreal moment for her brother was when he got to hear his new heart through a stethoscope.

     “That was pretty cool,” she said.

     Reyner also said Kelchen very much wants to return home.

     “He’s made a lot of friends,” added Reyner of the medical staff at Mayo. “Travis is not afraid to start a conversation with anyone.”

     Reyner and Kelchen’s uncle, Marv Kelchen, both said this will be a major lifestyle change for him.

     “There will be certain things he’ll have to monitor,” Marv said.

     The online auction was organized by family friend Mandy Norton with help from the Kelchen family. With family living out of state and wanting to help raise money for medical costs, it seemed easier to host an online bidding war that way anyone anywhere could join in.

     The auction items are currently open for bids. It closes July 31 at noon.

     To register:

     • Text “traviskelchen” followed by your name to 15415834642. (Example: traviskelchen Mandy Norton)

     • Follow the registration link you’ll receive from GalaBid to log in and take part in the bidding.

     • You can also register online at https://app.galabid.com/traviskelchen.

     • Click on the “register” button. You’ll then receive a text message with a verification link. Clicking the link will take you to the auction where you’ll log in with the password you entered during registration.

     Auction items are currently on display inside the windows at 107 W. First St. in downtown Monticello. Right now there are about 50 items listed online.

     Some of the highlighted items include:

     • Eight hours of labor from the “Fab 4” (Billy Norton, Ron Kelchen, Mark Stoneking, and Mike Wink).

     • A fire truck ride

     • Baked goods

     • A stone fire pit donated by Kyle Stadtmueller, All American Lawn & Landscape

     • An airplane ride

     • Handmade wooden items and crafts

     • Handmade baskets

     • Camping and recreational tickets to Central Park

     There are a couple of items with minimum bids set; otherwise all auction items start at $10.

     Those with the highest bids as of noon on July 31 will have the chance to pick up their items on Saturday, July 31, from 4 to 7 p.m., or Sunday, Aug. 1, from 10 a.m. to noon.

     “The (auction) app will notify the winners,” Norton said

     Norton said they could still accept auction items to go online until Saturday, July 24.

     Those who register to bid online will have the ability to see the current high bid for each auction item and who has the bid. Norton said not all registrants will use their actual names; some have registered as anonymous.

     Once you win the item at the end of the auction, you could either pay with a credit/debit card or pay when you pick up your items.

     Norton and the Kelchen family have been working on the auction since June, collecting items and organizing the online format.

     Knowing that Kelchen will have to take at least a dozen prescriptions, many for the rest of his life, he’ll have ongoing medical costs even after he returns home from Mayo.

     “He’ll also have t o travel to Mayo for all of his follow-up appointments,” said Reyner.

     The Monticello Knights of Columbus are also hosting a breakfast benefit for Travis Kelchen on Sunday, Aug. 1, at Sacred Heart Church, 210 E. Third St. The meal will be served from 8 a.m. to noon, with carry-outs available.