Fundraiser for a friend and family

Two friends of a Costa Mesa resident hosted a fundraiser Saturday evening to “take the stress off” his family’s future because he was diagnosed with stage four melanoma.

Robin Dutcher and Gina Davis, longtime friends of Kenny Troutman, a salesman for St. Jude Medical, wanted to grant his two wishes: that his family remain in their home and that he create a memory video for his wife, Kristy, and his two children, Cason, 15 months, and McKenzie, 5.

Troutman, a cardiac rhythm manager for the last 18 years at St. Jude Medical in Woodland Hills, endured his first chemotherapy treatment last week, Kristy said. They’ll know on Monday whether it was successful.

Married six years in July, Kristy can’t drive because she suffers from basal artery migraine and blacks out sporadically. The couple met when Troutman monitored her heart-monitoring device.

Friday’s backyard get-together included finger foods, a hosted bar and a silent auction.

“Most everything for the event was donated,” Dutcher said. Most items were “things that came from people’s hearts.”

“As we planned the party, people heard about it, and donations began rolling in,” Davis said.

“This is for them,” Troutman said, referring to his children, regarding the donations raised. The money raised will be deposited into a fiduciary trust for them.”