Grayson’s Ride honors life of 2-year-old, will help emergency rooms prepare for pediatric care

KEMPTON, Ind. (WISH) — Family and friends of a 2-year-old who passed away from E. coli complications are raising money to help other families in emergency situations and they could use your help. 

Two years ago, Grayson Dunham passed away a few weeks after he turned two. He had contracted something known as Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome.

Not long after, his parents created the Grayson Dunham Foundation. 

They’ve helped the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit or PICU at Riley Hospital for Children where Grayson spent his final days. 

One of the ways they have done that is through a motorcycle benefit ride they started last year called Grayson’s Ride. 

This year’s ride will focus on a special project known as the emergency room preparedness project. 

They’ve teamed up with some PICU doctors and lifeline staff who will be going to emergency rooms across the state to train staff how to better care for patients who are children. 

They’ll also be sharing information about Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. 

Grayson’s mom says this work helps keep her son’s memory alive. 

“As a mom that really helps me because I feel like I’m still doing something for Grayson and that means a lot to me and you know, we have super supportive family and friends that they’re constantly saying Grayson’s name or sharing memories of Grayson as a bereaved parent that feels extremely, extremely good to us,” said Kayla Dunham. 

The 2nd Annual Grayson’s Ride will take place Saturday, Aug. 11. 

Registration is at 9:30 a.m. at the Kirklin Volunteer Fire Department. It’s $20 per bike, $15 per passenger. 

They’ll head out at 11 a.m. and wrap around 5 p.m. at the Breeze Inn Pub in Kempton, where they will have live music, food and raffles.