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Friends look to help girl, family

TRUMAN — Alaina Aksenov, 2, was recently diagnosed with heart failure because of a deformed heart and she has already undergone a number of open-heart surgeries.

A benefit for her will be held 11 a.m to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Fairmont Eagles Club. There will be a meal and silent auction. Proceeds will help with the cost of travel, lodging, time off for medical appointments, hospital stays and medical bills.

Alania is the daughter of Logan and Vlad Askenov. The family lives in Truman. Logan grew up in Armstrong and is a nurse manager with Prairie River Home Care. Vlad, who moved to the area while in high school, is a truck driver for British Petroleum.

Alaina was born in April 2016. She was just 7 weeks old when it was discovered she has a heart condition. Logan said her daughter was flown to Omaha for her first big procedure. Her next surgery was when she was 5 months old.

In July, Alaina had another big surgery. Some complications kept her in the hospital for nearly a month.

In August, Logan gave birth to a son, Evan.

Most recently, Alaina spent about 40 days in the hospital in Omaha but was released and able to come home just two days before Thanksgiving.

“We’re very happy that she’s home now and doing well,” Logan said.

She said Alaina has had three open-heart surgeries, all in Omaha. She also undergone other smaller procedures. While Alaina has a doctor she sees in Fairmont, her primary cardiologist is in Sioux Falls, and she has appointments there about once per month.

“She’s been a trooper,” Logan said of Alaina.

Both Logan and Vlad work full time. They have been able to take time off to take Alaina to her appointments and stay with her during her hospital stays. But the stress of Alaina’s condition, along with the financial burden, takes a toll.

A group of Logan’s co-workers wanted to do something to help ease the burden for the family so they planned the upcoming benefit. One co-worker, Shae Pierson, discussed why she wanted to help.

“Logan is a selfless person and to have something so serious like this happen to her family is sad,” she said. “She shouldn’t have to worry about anything except getting her daughter well.”

The silent auction includes items from Pampered Chef, Scentsy, Rodan & Fields Skin Care and gift cards from local restaurants and businesses.

The meal will include a hog roast, buns, mac & cheese, coleslaw, beans, dessert and beverage. The donation is $10 for adults and $6 for children under 13.

Anyone who would like to donate items or give to the family may contact Pierson at (952) 820-5991.

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