Long story short, In January 2018,  Lauren was transferred from the local hospital NICU to the UIHC NICU on day six of life via ambulance. Once she arrived it was confirmed she was born with a birth defect called Pierre Robin Sequence, which also caused her to have a cleft palate. Early in life, PRS causes difficulty feeding and breathing. Lauren was on an NG feeding tube for 3 months, and an NPA breathing tube for one month, as well as several hospital monitors, including an apnea monitor for her first 9 months of life. 

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Over the last almost 8 years, the University has been almost like a second home to us. Lauren has had many appointments, as well as several surgeries at Stead Family Children's Hospital.

They have a child life program which is a great group of people who visit with the patients, during treatment, before procedures, in their hospital bed and treat them to games, toys, prizes, crafts, etc.

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In 2020 Lauren became a big sister, when her little brother Rex was born. Rex is all about

Hot Wheels! Our family is a big Hot Wheels family so in 2022 we decided to give it a go and collect as many Hot Wheels from family and friends. We collected over $1,000  worth of Hot Wheels to donate to Stead Family. In 2023 & 2024 we decided we wanted to host this drive again, only Lauren wanted to add Art Supplies to the donation list! Here we are in 2025 and the kids want to do it again, except instead of art supplies the kids wanted to try LEGOS. Our goal is to collect as many Hot Wheels (and LEGOS) as we can to donate to their hospital to give to any child during their time at the Hospital. 

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