"Helping families and communities prevent and cope with infant and young child loss, one baby step at a time"

Silent Auction Item Update…

 

There will be a Silent Auction at John’s Charity Golf Classic this year…last bids accepted at 1:15 PM before 1:30 group tees off!

20 Skybox Tickets at Principal Park for the Iowa Cubs Game on Sunday, July 13th at 1:05 donate by Wells Fargo Bank

15 Suite Tickets at Wells Fargo Arena on Saturday, June 28th at 7:05 to see the Iowa Barnstormers Game donated by Wells Fargo Bank

ISU autographed Basketball

ISU autographed Football

Iowa autographed Basketball

Complete Set of Jr. Golf Clubs from HIPPO

 

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Remembering Parker…

Parker.headstoneParker James Miller born on January 23, 2007 and became an Angel on January 26, 2007, is one of the angels that John’s Charity is honoring this year.  

Here is his story:

 

On September 29, 2006 we went in for our routine 22 week ultrasound.  Our tears of joy from finding out we were having a boy quickly turned to tears of confusion as our son had been diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.  Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a complex and rare heart defect present at birth (congenital). Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, means the left side of the heart is critically underdeveloped, which requires surgery immediately after birth for any chance of survival.  We were told we had two options one was to see the pregnancy through, or the other was to terminate.  Termination for us was not an option so we pushed forward.  We became educated, joined a support group, and fought for our little boy like no other.

Parker James MillerParker was born January 23, 2007 in Omaha Ne at 9:41 pm.  He was blue in color as we knew he would be with his heart condition, and he had so much dark hair.  He was then quickly taken to the neo-natal intensive care unit so the doctors could assess the complications of his heart.  Shortly after 11 pm that night we received grave news from the doctors.  His PDA (patent ductus arterious) was completely closed, they said he was very sick and they needed to perform emergency surgery. They had a few options to attempt to open the PDA, but they did not expect him to live through the night.  Just as we began to celebrate his birth our hopes and dreams were dashed once again.  We rushed around to get  myself a wheel chair and went up to the NICU to see Parker before they took him to surgery.  We were able to touch his hands and feet as he laid there.  I cannot begin to explain the range of emotions we were going through.  He was taken into surgery at approximately 12:30 am January 24,2007.  5 hours later we finally heard the surgery was done.  The two attempts at opening the PDA were unsuccessful.  We were then finally able to be with Parker in the Pediatric intensive care unit a few hours later.  He was hooked up to numerous machines to keep him alive at this point.  The most important machine being the ECMO machine, a heart lung machine to help supply his body with oxygenated blood since his heart was not able to do so.Parker.2

Parker fought so hard for his 3 days on earth with us.  We just never received any good news about his condition.  They found other complications due to his HLHS.  His right lung was also severely underdeveloped which an even greater complication than his heart condition was.  There were also concerns with Ultrasounds of Parkers brain that he had sustained brain damage as well.  That was the ultimate issue in Parker living.  Because the PDA had closed immediately Parker had gone without oxygen to his brain for over an hour.  There was some brain activity but not enough that if they performed surgery he would never have woken from.  We were ultimately told this on Friday January 26 that Parker would have to be let go.  This was so devastating to have to make the decision.  We called family and friends who have supported us through our entire experience so everyone could say goodbye.  The doctors removed some of his life support so our family could hold him.Parker.hands  Corey and I asked for time alone with, we stayed with him, read him books and told him stories, made sure he knew how proud of him we were.  When you are put in a position like this there is NEVER enough time.  This was so hard because it was the first and last time we ever got to hold our baby boy. Corey and I both held Parker until he passed away in our arms until the final life support was taken.  He did not struggle, and he looked so peaceful, but the memory of him laying there lifeless is forever with us, it is an image no parent should ever have to see. He was the youngest and smallest baby to survive on the ECMO machine for more than 12 hours; right there in itself shows you what a fighter he was.  We are beyond blessed to call him our son!

Parker's Poem.headstone

 

Results for the 5th John D Gomke Charity Classic

 

Thank you for all those who joined us at the 5th Annual John D Gomke Charity Classic!  Because of you we had a great day of golf & celebration.  Below are the results of winners for the day. Watch for more updates on what we raised! 

AM Results

First Flight Winners
1st: 59 Guthrie Co. State Bank: Br. Monaghan, K Powell, S. Ahrendsen, M. Mikkelsen
2nd: 60 Team Crown Royal: B. Crnkoich, J. Powers, B. Achey, M. Micahel
3rd: 62 Team Tap That: B. Smith, B. Smith

Second Flight Winners
1st: 68 Adel Kiwanis: T. Hein, B. Baier, C. Anderlie, T. Cook
2nd: 68 Earhart Farms: M. Earhart, B. Earhart, S. Ellis, B. Ellis
3rd: 71 Studio 10: J. Reed, R. Reed, M. Darling, R. Campbell

AM Pin Events:
Hole: 5 Closest to Pin in – Brian Crnkovich
Hole 10 Longest Drive – Jeremy Good
Hole 18 Longest Putt – Kane Powell

PM Results

First Flight
1st: 61 Guthrie Co State Bank: Br. Monaghan, K. Powell, Mike Lowe, M. Mikkelsen
2nd: 61 Caddy Shaggers: K. Bowling, B. Litter, J. Walkup, T. Grosklags
3rd: 62 The Four Guys: R. Davis, R. Felder, M. Marinangeli, T. Pinkney

Second Flight
1st: 67 Dukes of Hazard: B. Heuer, M. Heuer, T. Bower, J. Johnston
2nd: 68 Team Tap That: Brett Smith, Jason Juhl, Len Snyder
3rd: 69 Team Parker: C. Miller, B. Seyer, C. Parlow, K. Sand

PM Pin Events:
Hole: 5 Closest to Pin in 2 – Brian Ingerslev
Hole 10 Longest Drive – Corey Miller
Hole 18 Longest Putt – Troy Grosklags

Am/Pm Pin Event Winners :
Hole16 Closest to Pin – Toby Kumm

OVERALL CHAMPIONS:

Score: 59
Brandon Monaghan, Guthrie County State Bank
Kane Powell
Steve Ahrendsen
Matt Mikkelsen
**MVP in PM Shotgun: Mike Lowe

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John D. Gomke Charity, Inc.
P.O. Box 613
DeSoto, IA 50069


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