We are pleased to announce our support of “Emma’s Room” at Akron Children’s Hospital. We will donate a percentage of our winnings throughout the 2006 season to this charity.

Here is the story of Emma Mae, her parents Michael and Anne Treutel, the facility and the people that made the eight days Emma spent with her parents extraordinary.

Due to an undiagnosed blood condition, Emma was born 6 weeks early, and with a critical amount of blood loss. An otherwise perfect baby was born fighting for her life, but not fighting alone. An incredible team of doctors and nurses from the Akron Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit went to work trying to repair the damage, while putting Emma in the Treutels’ arms every second possible to allow Michael and Anne to experience all the first joys of parenthood.

Since Emma’s death, Michael and Anne have been in contact with Akron Children’s Hospital and have been asked to be involved with the redesign of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; specifically, the “Family Room” in which Emma, Michael and Anne spent their last 21 hours together hugging, kissing, laughing and crying. In addition, a proposal has been put forth to rename the room “Emma’s Room.”

With the fundraising goal of $50,000 in mind, and current totals at approximately 56% of the goal, we ask that you join us in giving. All donations will go directly to the Akron Children’s Hospital NICU redesign with the goal to help, comfort and support the countless families whose babies must spend time there. Please forward your check, made to “Akron Children’s Hospital” with a memo note of “Emma’s Room/NICU” to:

Akron Children’s Hospital
Development Department
One Perkins Square
Akron, OH 44308-1062

I, and The Treutels, would like to extend our sincerest appreciation in advance to those supporting this charity.