This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Bryce Harding is 25 years old and lives in Lehi. Three years ago, he was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a rare blood disease, much like leukemia but without the cancer.

He has endured many blood transfusions. Finally, doctors at the Huntsman Cancer Institute and the University of Utah prescribed a bone marrow transplant, which took place with his brother Colton as the donor.

Soon after the transplant, Bryce contracted a fungus. Doctors said that fungus had a high mortality rate and an immediate operation would be needed. He called his family and close friends and expressed his love, thanking them for all they did for him.

After surgeons removed the dead tissue, the fungus did not return. Recently, Bryce's body responded by making healthy blood cells again.

The community's response, according to his friends, has been tremendous.

After his transplant, two girls from his Mormon congregation staged a car wash to raise money for his medical costs. A long line of cars showed up, and the event raised $3,000 — even though it rained hard that day.

Lehi businesses and residents also have responded with donations.

Now, family and friends have scheduled a dinner and auction/raffle fundraiser for Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Peck Barn, 415 S. 600 East in Lehi.

The suggested minimum donation is $20 per person. Folks can RSVP at http://www.beatbadblood.com or at 801-830-5692.

Future leaders of America • Julie Hooker's leadership class at Park City's Treasure Mountain Junior High took part Friday in the 24-hour fundraising blitz organized by Live PC Give PC.

They raised money for Wasatch Backcountry Rescue, EATS Park City, People's Health Clinic and Park City Institute. The kids placed donation jars in all 36 classrooms, produced a social media campaign, and sent letters to the editor and direct email. They held honk and waves at busy intersections near the school.

Total tally: $369.05, which means each of the four nonprofits selected will receive more than $90 from the class.

What the kids learned: The joy of helping the needy.

Perhaps some of our elected officials should take the class.

It takes a neighborhood • Laurie Summers-Pisani says her mother walks her small dog through her Sugar House neighborhood every day, logging 20,000 steps on her pedometer.

Her mother has dementia, and her memory is rapidly failing, causing her to get confused and sometimes lose her way.

Summers-Pisani says the neighbors know that and watch out for the elderly woman, calling the daughter to tell her where her mother is and often taking the time to walk or drive her home.

Lone Peak student stands out • Madeleine Arnold, a senior at Lone Peak High School in Highland, was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Utah and awarded an $11,500 scholarship during a statewide program for high school girls at Draper's Juan Diego High School last week.

Arnold was one of 34 high school senior girls to compete. Participants were evaluated in scholastics (25 percent), interview (25 percent), talent (20 percent), fitness (15 percent) and self-expression (15 percent). —