Marylou Nagel | Writer
A fundraiser is in the works for a local couple with a dream to become parents.
Danielle Donovan and Caleb Heiden hope to one day have a child of their own. That journey to parenthood has been lengthy, especially for Donovan.
Donovan, originally from the Lennox/Worthington area, was diagnosed with painful endometriosis in 2014 while living in New York. Endometriosis is the abnormal spread of uterine cells throughout the body. “I have endometriosis on my intestines, all over my female organs, on my lungs, on my diaphragm, inside my intestines,” she explained. “These cells also bleed, making it very hard for me to breathe, and sometimes causing bleeding in spots that are not ideal for blood to be pooling up like in the lungs. It makes living life very hard somedays.”
In 2016, Donovan and her partner at the time found out that her pregnancy was ectopic and not viable, which meant a painful loss for the couple. Shortly after that, Donovan experienced another devastating event. Her partner lost his life in a horrific auto accident.
In 2018, Donovan had another major surgery in which the doctor removed her left ovary due to a tumor. “My ovary and tube also had adhered very severely to my intestines making me very sick and miserable,” she said. A few cells were left behind, however, enabling her ovary to grow back on her intestines. This makes the chances of another ectopic pregnancy very high.
In 2019, Donovan was diagnosed with a mesothelioma tumor which was twisted inside her intestines, engulfing her entire uterus. Before the surgery, the doctor cautioned her that she may need a hysterectomy at the time of the operation. Donovan did not have the financial means to freeze her eggs for use at a later time. “I was so scared I was going to wake up and hear that I would never be a mom,” she explained. “Fortunately, upon waking up, my doctor said she was successfully able to remove the tumor.”
Donovan and Heiden found out they were expecting a baby in September of 2020. Unfortunately, this was also an ectopic pregnancy, even more dangerous than the last. Her fallopian tube ruptured, which nearly proved fatal for Donovan. “My very talented surgeon was able to save my tube and my ovary,” she said. Unfortunately, every time a woman experiences an ectopic pregnancy, chances of having another one increase by 30 percent. Because Donovan has had two, her fertility specialist said chances of having another are over 70 percent. The only option left is IVF (in vitro fertilization).
With Donovan’s egg count of six, time is limited, especially since a recent diagnosis of severe adenomyosis, which is similar to endometriosis, but inside the uterus. The chances of retaining a pregnancy is 30 percent.
“I’ve wanted nothing more than to be a mother for most of my adult life,” explained Donovan. “I cannot even imagine a life without children. I really struggle with feeling like I’m taking away someone’s opportunity to be a parent when I’ve been in relationships, but Caleb has been so supportive. He loves me, truly. No matter what happens. I couldn’t have asked for a better man in my life. He is my rock and I, his.”
Heiden grew up in Edgerton, Minnesota, but spent most of his life on his grandparents’ farm in Hartford, which is where the couple now lives. His grandparents adopted his mother Shari, and her sister Tami. Heiden’s brother, Cody, unfortunately ended his life as a teen, an experience which is still extremely painful for Heiden and his family.
Heiden is a full-time farmer and rancher on the family farm, and Donovan works as a medical assistant at Sanford Diabetes and Thyroid Clinic. The couple enjoys work on the farm and are dedicated to their three dogs, four cats, cows, goats, chickens and ducks.
“Caleb’s great-great-great grandfather traveled here from Germany and established our farm in the early 1800s,” Donovan added. “We still have trunks in our attic that made the trek from Germany to South Dakota on the boat. It’s hard to imagine the journey they made back then!”
The Heiden Ranch was also recently featured on KELO-TV’s “Faces of Farming.”
The upcoming fundraiser means everything to Donovan and Heiden. Donovan explained, “Our entire future depends on this fundraiser. We do not come from wealthy families. Both of our families live paycheck to paycheck. While we know they would help us if they could, they can’t.”
The couple is overwhelmed by the generosity of Justin Kjellsen, owner of Big J’s in Humboldt and South Bar in Hartford.
“He stepped right up as a sponsor,” Donovan stated. “He’s really made all of this possible for us, not only donating his banquet hall free of charge, but he’s also donated food, a keg, $200 in gift cards to both businesses and $250 to his firework stand.” They also had an anonymous donor offer to match all funds raised, dollar for dollar up to $13,500. “Caleb and I were both almost in tears when we found out this person was willing to help us to this extent to have a baby. God is so amazing!”
The IVF fundraiser will be held Saturday, April 17, at Big J’s Roadhouse in Humboldt, from 11 am-5pm. Raffle items include:
Farm fresh turkey-future order in November 2021
6 months of free farm fresh eggs (max of 2 dozen per month)
$100 in gift cards toward Big J’s Road House plus hats and apparel
$100 in gift cards toward South Bar in Hartford plus hats and apparel
$25 to The Barrel House
$25 toward Pizza Ranch and two free buffets
A newborn baby package with free formula, clothing for boys and girls, and many accessories that new babies need Plus $200 in gift cards to several baby boutiques
$160 in free tech support service for any computer
Discounted services for Mosquito Authority 12 frozen Hot Stuff pizzas
$20 Cody’s Smoke House
Gift cards to Shay’s Boutique
A dog basket from Earth Wise pet store Scentsy wax warmer basket
Several children’s toys
Tickets to B&G Milky Way
Humidifiers and seat warmers
A huge party package with several high-end alcohols, supplies to make Jell-O shots, a party bucket of fireball, beer glasses, a beer bottle opener, and some games for game night
In addition, there will be a silent auction for a quarter of an angus cow. Many more items are being donated and accepted daily. The couple also has a GoFundMe account to accept online donations at https://gofund.me/7606b357.
Donations of raffle items, free or discounted services, food, and kegs are welcome. In exchange, advertising for the sponsors will be offered.
Donovan and Heiden have felt immense support from the community as well, which has helped strengthen the couple’s faith.
“It’s taken me a very long time to leave this in God’s hands, and realize that He has given me these struggles for a reason,” Donovan added. “I will never understand why God gave me the struggle of infertility. But I trust that everything happens for a reason.”
The couple is grateful for outpouring of concern and well-wishes. “I cannot even put what I’m feeling into words right now,” Donovan exclaimed. “I was so filled with fear, and right now I’m so filled with gratitude. I really want to stress the ‘thank you’ to all of these people who have recently donated to us. The support has overwhelmed me.”
Donovan and Heiden are hopeful that the fundraiser will bring in enough to pay for the IVF process. “Caleb and I both want nothing more than just a chance to have a baby. Just an opportunity. That’s all we want. If we don’t get enough donations, our plan is to save the funds for adoption someday,” she added.