Haevyn is Kind

Ends: October 3, 2021

During a routine check up with my obstetrician, I was told that I required an immediate emergency cesarean to save my own life and the life of my unborn son. Haevyn was born 3lbs 13oz on October 3, 2019 at thirty weeks. He was airlifted to the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg almost immediately while I remained in Brandon for the next four days. I met my son for the first time when he was already five days old. We spent three weeks in two different NICUs in Winnipeg and if it were not for Ronald McDonald House, the expenses we incurred would have been atrocious. For the first two weeks, we "lived" right in the hospital one floor below the Yellow Deer NICU. The room was free of charge and amazing volunteers prepared freshly baked homemade goodies and meals at least twice a day. For the final week, we moved to the Ronald McDonald House, located a few short blocks from the hospital and our son who had been moved to the NICU in the Women's Hospital of the Health Sciences Centre. Our room in the house cost us a mere $10 a night; there were communal living spaces and a vast kitchen where we were welcome to cook but also where volunteers would come in and prepare delicious meals for the families residing in the house. At one point, we even received a free pair of tickets to attend a Winnipeg Blue Bombers game. Despite the constant bustle of medical staff and visitors, NICUs are very lonely places. The communal understanding from the staff, volunteers, and especially the other families in Ronald McDonald House was invaluable to us; we felt like we were not alone in our nightmare. That sense of support meant more to us than any of the expenses we saved and that is why we are fundraising. I have always been a proponent for acts of kindness - random or otherwise - and that value is one that I intend to instill in my son. For the next year, Haevyn and I will be performing acts of kindness and raising funds here! You can follow along with Haevyn on his kindness journey on Instagram @Haevyn_is_Kind.