Graham's Foundation to Introduce 2018 Ambassador Family at First Fundraiser of the Year
Supporters will meet the LaDue family at the prematurity support organization’s ‘Tinis for Preemies evening benefitting premature babies and their families.
Toledo, OH, April 27, 2018 --(PR.com)-- Graham’s Foundation (http://GrahamsFoundation.org), the global support organization for parents going through the journey of prematurity, will introduce this year’s Ambassador Family at its ‘Tinis for Preemies evening at the Carranor Hunt & Polo Club. Handcrafted signature martinis by Tito’s Handmade Vodka and a strolling dinner by Fowl & Fodder were followed by a live auction and the official introduction of the organization’s 2018 Ambassador Family: Maumee residents Randy and Seryna LaDue, and their son, Caleb Ponce LaDue.
Caleb - who is now five years old - was born at 24 weeks, weighing only 1 lb., 2 oz, and he spent the entire first year of his life in hospitals fighting to survive. Despite doctors saying he might never come home, he was eventually discharged with a trache, a ventilator, and a g-tube.
“Connecting with other families is critical,” says Randy. “We hope that by sharing our own experiences, we can help moms and dads realize there is light at the end of the tunnel and there is support out there.”
Each year, a new Ambassador Family serves as the face of Graham’s Foundation. By highlighting the LaDue’s story, the organization is able not only to raise awareness of the full impact premature birth has on parents but also to give new parents of preemies hope.
Randy and Seryna know first hand how critical hope can be. Caleb was in intensive units at two hospitals, and doctors and specialists told Randy and Seryna (who went into labor at just 22 weeks along in her pregnancy) that Caleb had very little chance of surviving - much less thriving. He proved them all wrong.
“When we finally brought Caleb home we had to set up a mini hospital in his room,” Seryna said. “We had to learn quickly how to work a ventilator, air concentrator, suction machine, and pulse oximeter... then there were trach changes, feeding tubes, and medications around the clock. But today, at five years old, Caleb is coming into his own! He loves singing, posing for photos, memorizing the states, jaguars, football, numbers, logos, Geico commercials, and Frank Sinatra. He is flourishing!”
Like so many other preemies, Caleb may always have challenges due to his premature birth, but with a support system that includes Graham’s Foundation, families like the LaDues are better equipped to handle whatever they encounter in their journeys.
To learn more about ‘Tinis for Preemies evenings or for sponsorship information, visit http://GrahamsFoundation.org/events/tinis-for-preemies or call Connie at 888.466.2948 ext. 3. To explore volunteer opportunities, visit http://grahamsfoundation.org/support-our-mission/volunteer-opportunities.
Caleb - who is now five years old - was born at 24 weeks, weighing only 1 lb., 2 oz, and he spent the entire first year of his life in hospitals fighting to survive. Despite doctors saying he might never come home, he was eventually discharged with a trache, a ventilator, and a g-tube.
“Connecting with other families is critical,” says Randy. “We hope that by sharing our own experiences, we can help moms and dads realize there is light at the end of the tunnel and there is support out there.”
Each year, a new Ambassador Family serves as the face of Graham’s Foundation. By highlighting the LaDue’s story, the organization is able not only to raise awareness of the full impact premature birth has on parents but also to give new parents of preemies hope.
Randy and Seryna know first hand how critical hope can be. Caleb was in intensive units at two hospitals, and doctors and specialists told Randy and Seryna (who went into labor at just 22 weeks along in her pregnancy) that Caleb had very little chance of surviving - much less thriving. He proved them all wrong.
“When we finally brought Caleb home we had to set up a mini hospital in his room,” Seryna said. “We had to learn quickly how to work a ventilator, air concentrator, suction machine, and pulse oximeter... then there were trach changes, feeding tubes, and medications around the clock. But today, at five years old, Caleb is coming into his own! He loves singing, posing for photos, memorizing the states, jaguars, football, numbers, logos, Geico commercials, and Frank Sinatra. He is flourishing!”
Like so many other preemies, Caleb may always have challenges due to his premature birth, but with a support system that includes Graham’s Foundation, families like the LaDues are better equipped to handle whatever they encounter in their journeys.
To learn more about ‘Tinis for Preemies evenings or for sponsorship information, visit http://GrahamsFoundation.org/events/tinis-for-preemies or call Connie at 888.466.2948 ext. 3. To explore volunteer opportunities, visit http://grahamsfoundation.org/support-our-mission/volunteer-opportunities.
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Graham's Foundation
Linda Stefani
888.466.2948
grahamsfoundation.org
Linda Stefani
888.466.2948
grahamsfoundation.org
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