Kelsey Hupp was working at the clinic when she received a call on May 24, 2023, with devastating news: her house near Pierre, S.D., had exploded due to an accidental gas leak, killing her infant daughter, Harper, and her husband’s parents, and severely injuring her two sons, Myles and Royce.
“I will never forget my coworkers who were there for me instantly. They got my bag packed and got me on the plane to be with my two sons,” who were Careflighted to a burn center in St. Paul, Minn., said Kelsey, a nurse practitioner with Avera Medical Group in Pierre.
Recovering and Healing
Both boys’ lungs were decompressed. Both had burns, Royce’s being more severe, requiring multiple surgeries for skin grafts.
As they were recovering from this tragedy, Trevor and Kelsey Hupp received more shattering news: Myles was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, identified due to incidental findings on the trauma CT. His cancer treatment continued for the next year.
Before the accident, Kelsey once told a friend that she had a completely privileged life: a husband who loved her, three beautifully healthy children, wonderful parents, supportive in-laws and siblings that she felt close to. “I was privileged, but I still am. I am privileged to be the mom to two of the strongest boys. I am privileged that I get to stand alongside of them and fight for a better future.”
After the explosion, there was nothing left of the house. “How the boys made it out of there alive will forever be a mystery. Through our entire journey they have been my rocks. My constants. Proof that there is a God in our tragedy,” Kelsey said.
As far as material possessions, Kelsey literally lost everything in the explosion. Support poured in from friends and family, through GoFundMe, fundraising events, as well as assistance through the Avera Cares fund. This fund is part of Avera’s employee giving program done yearly. As part of this program, employees can donate to specific areas of interest or to general funds that assist employees and patients in need, such as Kelsey’s family, and provide vital funding for medical equipment and resources.
Support Through Avera and the Community
For Kelsey, the fund’s importance came full circle, as she’s donated to Avera Cares since she joined Avera in 2018. “It’s important for me to support my coworkers. You spend more time with the people you work with than you do with most people, and so I want help to be there for them when they need it.”
