Happy birthday Soren!
In Ohio, Soren celebrated his 7th birthday and is Casey Cares' 790th birthday this year!
Casey Cares knows that for a critically ill child, each birthday is a special milestone celebrating life. For the children in our programs, it not only marks another year, but it also demonstrates a great achievement. Casey Cares staff and volunteers work hard to send out each of our kids a special birthday package through our Birthday Blast program - we send over 1,000 a year! This simple act of kindness delivers joy and hope to our kids who are undergoing treatment.
Meet Soren
Soren joined Casey Cares programs in 2022 after receiving numerous diagnoses and has received board games, Movie & Pizza Night packages, trips to the Jurassic Quest and the Cincinnati Zoo, attended a holiday light show, and more.
"Soren’s favorite activity that he has received from Casey Cares is definitely Monster Jam and Disney on Ice," said Tanikkia, his mother.
Tanikkia stated that her son "is a twin preemie and he was diagnosed with stage 3 subglottic stenosis with chronic lung disease and asthma about a month after being born." Soren also has an artificial airway that has to be monitored by an awake person.
"It was very challenging with having a then 9 year old son and giving birth to twin boys who have medical complexities. I was in the hospital for just as long as my boys which really put a strain on our home life with our 9 year old. Things were a bit touch and go with not only the twins but me as well during delivery and aftercare," she said.
The mother of three noted her frustration and worries after giving birth with medical care for both her and Soren.
She stated, "We had to travel from home to University Hospital and then going straight to Children’s Hospital and back home for 4 months and then for the following year and a half going from University Hospital for myself to Children’s Hospital for Soren and back home to deal with our other 2 kiddos Syrah and Dereon while constantly worrying about Soren while we’re not at the hospital."
Tanikkia added, "We have been put through a lot of tears, fears and financial difficulties while still navigating being loving parents."
Being a Light
"When we were referred to Casey Cares Foundation, I had no idea what to expect from the foundation but we were willing to give it a go. Upon being contacted from the foundation we were welcomed with open arms and empathy that really made a difference in our journey with Soren’s condition, the outpouring of support that we received from you all was nothing short of amazing and it gave us hope," she continued.
Tanikkia expressed, "We once felt alone in our journey because we didn’t have a support system in place, but with Casey Cares we now had other parents who are going through the same process as we are and that in itself felt comforting to us."
She then thanked Casey Cares "for being the light for us in a very difficult time."
Today, Soren is in the 2nd grade and is excited about school and for Soren's birthday with his twin Syrah, the family will be having an old school park party with food balloons and lots of fun and friends!
Want to support more programs and fun activities for critically ill children like Soren? Donate here!