Austin’s Angels: Woman thanks people of Grundy County for helping save her son’s life

GRUNDY CENTER – For many years, Becky and Mark Szegda lived a normal life at their home in Grundy Center, and on May 2, 1980, Becky gave birth to a son – Austin. But not long after this happy moment, everything changed. Becky was told to enjoy the time she had with her son, as he likely wouldn’t live to be a year old.
Now, thirty-six years later, Becky is happily celebrating her son’s birthday, and she would like to thank the people of Grundy County for helping make it possible.
Austin Szegda was born with a condition called bilary atresia, a ductless liver, which meant that his liver was unable to filter body waste and had grown steadily larger, even up to the point where it looked as if a basketball was inflated inside his stomach.
As an infant, he underwent surgery to construct a make-shift duct, but Becky was told that he would need a liver transplant by the time he turned three, or he would die.
That's when a group of Grundy County locals teamed up to form "Austin's Angels," and proceeded to raise $28,000 in donations for the family during their time of need - an action which ultimately helped the Szegdas afford the costs involved with the transplant.
For the full story, see the May 5 edition of The Grundy Register.