Woodland Hills raising funds to assist ailing Salem High student

WOODLAND HILLS, Utah County — When the volunteer fire chief of neighboring Salem found out his health insurance wasn't covering his teenage daughter's recently diagnosed disease, the community jumped in to assist.

Residents came up with a "Pot of Gold for Taylor" to raise funds for the Salem High School student, Taylor McKean. Her father, Clyde McLean, is chief of the Salem Fire Department, and her mother, Michelle McKean, is a volunteer emergency medical technician.

Taylor McKean recently was diagnosed with microscopic polyangiitis, an auto-immune disease that can lead to kidney failure, city recorder Jody Stones said.

An open house will run from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Woodland Hills fire station, 676 S. Woodland Hills Road. The event will include a barbecue and silent auction to raise donations for the family, said event co-sponsor Christine Heathman. Residents are asking that area businesses donate products or services for the auction.

For more information, call Chad Stilson at 801-358-3649.

— Rodger L. Hardy