Rae Strong Makes $3,000 Donation to Little Giraffe Foundation at Lewis University’s Playing for Preemies

Last Friday, the Little Giraffe Foundation received a giant check in front of 100s of cheering Lewis University volleyball fans. The donation was made possible thanks to the Rae Strong Foundation and founders Dan Friend and Lorelee Smith.

Dan and Lorelee created the Rae Strong Foundation after their "daughter, Rae Analyn Friend was born at 24 weeks, which classifies her as a micro preemie. A micro-preemie is a baby born weighing less than 1 pound, 12 ounces or before 26 weeks gestation. “Unimaginable” is a word that encompasses an array of emotions experienced over the 115 days Rae spent in Loyola Hospital’s NICU. For the family, this meant one hundred and fifteen days of blood draws, blood tests, x-rays, EKGs, eye exams and blue light treatments. One hundred and fifteen days of ventilators, oscillators, feeding tubes and incubators. One hundred and fifteen days of monitoring her heart, lungs, brain and physical growth. One hundred and fifteen days of crib side nurses, hourly doctor visits, twice daily mom and dad visits, weekly therapists, extended family and friend visits."

Today the foundation is on a mission to give support to Families of Micropreemies through financial and educational support.

The Little Giraffe Foundation was invited to Lewis University where Lorelee coaches the women's volleyball team for the Playing for Preemies game. Before the game the Little Giraffe Foundation was presented with a $2,500 donation plus $500 from the 50/50 raffle for a total of $3,000. Afterward the Lewis University Flyers won 3-1 in an exciting game with plenty of action.

We're extremely grateful for foundations like Rae Strong and the countless individuals who support the Little Giraffe Foundation. We'll put these funds to good use toward our NICU Support Grants, Neonatal Research Initiatives, and of our course our hospital holiday gift deliveries. Thank you Rae Strong!

Photo credit: Steve Woltman (2023)