Help Hope Live - Trusted Medical Fundraising
HUTCHINSON - Monte McClurg of Hutchinson, KS spent decades living an active and energetic life with nationwide recognition as the “camel man.” Settling into semi-retirement to care for his young daughter, Monte was blindsided by liver disease in 2024. He and his family have been stunned by the generosity of their community: they raised $6,300 in just 2 weeks through the nonprofit "Help Hope Live."
Monte was known nationwide as the “camel man,” a racing camel caretaker and manager of an exotic animal traveling petting zoo.
When his daughter, Morgan, was born in 2018, Monte went into semi-retirement from his exotic career to help ensure a brighter future for his family, including reliable health insurance. Now 6 years old, Morgan “is the light of his life and the reason he lives,” explained Molly, Monte’s sister.
Monte experienced undiagnosed symptoms for several years, but in August 2024, he was rushed to the hospital, swollen and jaundiced. He was diagnosed with liver failure. After multiple medical procedures, Monte must now remain hospitalized until he can get a life-saving liver and kidney transplant.
Because Monte has been unable to work, he will lose his health insurance plan starting in June 2025. To help cover the extreme out-of-pocket costs of a transplant, his loved ones started a fundraising campaign with the trusted national nonprofit Help Hope Live on May 14.
The fundraising campaign raised over $6,300 in the first 2 weeks. Monte and his family were stunned. As of June 16, they have raised over $6,500.
“We received $1,000 in donations over the first hour,” shared Molly. “It was enough to help cover a giant medical expense. I couldn’t help but cry.”
Donations can be made at: https://helphopelive.org/campaign/25654/
Unlike a GoFundMe campaign, donations to Help Hope Live are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, and all funds raised will be administered by the nonprofit to cover verified medical and related expenses. Help Hope Live verifies medical and financial need for every patient.
Help Hope Live is a national nonprofit that specializes in engaging communities in secure, tax-deductible fundraising campaigns for people who need a transplant or are affected by a catastrophic injury or illness. Since 1983, campaigns organized by Help Hope Live have raised over $188 million to pay patient expenses.