In April, I was blessed with the opportunity to correspond with Nancy Hollenkamp of Ohio. Nancy and her husband, Jerry, are co-founders of The Aubrey Rose Foundation, a charity for children with congenital heart defects and other life-threatening illnesses. It is named in memory of their beloved daughter who passed away just two days before her 3rd birthday.
Like my son, Nathan, Aubrey Rose battled complications of Scimitar Syndrome. In the spring of 1999, little Aubrey Rose took a turn for the worse and required a heart and double lung transplant to survive. After a thirteen day wait, organs that were a perfect match came available. Her recovery was a long and difficult one, but according to the Hollenkamps, “She always kept a smile on her face.”
The surgery appeared to be a great success. A year later, she required another surgery to correct a lung anomaly, but was soon “loving life,” having recovered once again. As the Hollenkamps prepared for an upcoming checkup, they “could not wait for the doctors in Philadelphia to see how well Aubrey was doing.” Tragically, she died suddenly and unexpectedly on November 10, 2000. An autopsy revealed her death was due to chronic lung rejection, a condition that could not have been corrected even if they had known.
The Hollenkamps decided that the best way to honor the memory of their daughter was to help other families facing similar life-threatening struggles. “It is still so very healing for us to be able to help other children,” Nancy says. “We know she is touching people even in her death.” The foundation has already assisted over a thousand families through grants, scholarships, and special parties, picnics, and dinners for affected families. In conjunction with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Aubrey’s Foundation has also helped develop the Healing the World’s Hearts Program, an effort to provide heart procedures to needy children in the U.S. and developing countries.
This is a true labor of love for the Hollenkamps. They are providing much needed relief and comfort for families under incredible stress. If you are able to help, consider visiting the Aubrey Rose Foundation website to make a donation or volunteer.
Tags: Aubrey Rose Foundation, Audrey Rose Hollenkamp, Congenital Heart Defects, Nathan, Scimitar Syndrome
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