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Ill Teen's Pig Brings in $15,000 at Ocala Auction

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OCALA, Fla. (AP) — An Ocala teenager got a huge surprise when she tried to sell her pig at the Southeastern Youth Fair to raise money to cover medical expenses.

Fifteen-year-old Julia Kain wrote letters to local businesses to market the pig named Hunter in advance of last Saturday's auction in Ocala. She said she hoped to use the profits to cover the expenses of a rare condition she suffers from called Niemann-Pick disease, which is sometimes referred to as children's Alzheimers.

As the teen's story spread, people decided to pool their money. The Ocala Star-Banner (http://bit.ly/1M5E7Ve ) reports the pig sold for $57.50 per pound, bringing in a whopping $15,812.50.

The teen burst into tears as the crowd applauded.

Her family says the money will help pay medical costs not covered by insurance.

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Information from: Ocala (Fla.) Star-Banner, http://www.starbanner.com/

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