The Erika Kate Foundation would like to remember our friend Ricky Wegener, who passed away on December 14, 2009.  Ricky was born on February 16, 1998.

Please continue to think of Ricky’s mom, Trisha, and their family.  Our prayers are with all of you.

An article about Ricky was featured in our 2009 year-end newsletter, and can be read by following this link.

2009 has been a memorable year!  Significant progress has been made in the continued development of the Erika Kate Foundation.  Read more

Ani and Jeremy Karg are the parents of four daughters, Madi – 9, Selah – 6, Veiyah – 1, and Aderah, Veiyah’s twin, who passed away on Sept 10, 2008 before she was born.  Veiyah and Aderah were born on Sept 25 2008, Veiyah with serious heart complications.  Veiyah is fighting her battle daily, and from the sound of her at home in the background during the interview for this story, she is up for the fight.  Over the past year, Veiyah has had several emergencies, and right here, right now, she is doing well.

Veiyah at age 3 weeks, at her first BT shunt surgery

As Ani and Jeremy went through these emergencies, and before Veiyah had her first shunt implanted in her heart, the chief surgeon told them that they needed to be in the present moment each day with their sweet Veiyah, don’t hold her back, let her live her life in her own way, at her own pace.  He told them to live in the moment.

Ani and Jeremy have learned the most important thing for them as a family is to “Be Right Here, Right Now.”  They don’t spend time contemplating the future – there is not time with their busy household of three children, one who needs constant care.  And, they don’t want to think about what the future holds because they know that their lives can change, literally, in a heartbeat.  What they do focus on is making sure Veiyah has all the opportunities for improving through surgery and medication.  They trust in God, and they trust their doctors to find the best possible answers.  They focus on their family in each moment, drawing close together, supported by extended family, friends, Jeremy’s work colleagues, their church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and the Erika Kate Foundation. Read more

On Sunday, September 27th, 2009, more than 90 runners and walkers turned out to participate in the recent Team EKF/Quad Cities Marathon event in Moline, Illinois.  The team wore Erika Kate Foundation t-shirts and helped raise awareness for the work of the Foundation in the Quad Cities area.  The weather was beautiful and everyone had a great time cheering their teammates on as they participated in various events.  A big THANKS goes out to Joe Moreno and his crew of volunteers who helped make this a special event for the Erika Kate Foundation.  If you missed it, plan on joining us next year.

Informational brochures about the Erika Kate Foundation have been developed and are now available.  Packed with information about the mission and ministry of EKF, these pamphlets will be utilized to help get the word out to families, social workers, and supporters alike.  Click here to have a look.