Unite4Lily Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

1899 Central Avenue,Lake Station IN 46405

17 September, 2022

Description

This fundraising event will assist in providing materials & financial assistance to families staying at Peyton Manning Children's Hospital. On September 18, 2021, Lily Mae Pagán was born to Alex Cox and Thomas Pagán in Merrillville, Indiana. On Day 3, Lily went home to begin her new life. On Day 5, she saw her pediatrician who added a supplement formula to her feedings. That night, Thomas and Alex found Lily in her cradle with spit-up covering her face and nose. They took her to St. Mary’s as they believed she had aspirated. St. Mary’s completed a full work up and saw what they believed was pneumonia in her lungs and they rushed her to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis via ambulance. Lily was 9 days old when Alex and Thomas found out that she had a mass growing at the base of her brain stem. At 13 days old the doctors informed Alex and Thomas that the brain tumor was inoperable. Lily spent a total of 10 days at Peyton Manning’s and at just 15 days old, Lily went home to be with the people who loved her the most and received comforting care from Hospice. During those ten days at Peyton Manning Children Hospital, Thomas and Alex, Lily’s parents, were treated just as that -- Lily’s parents. They were not seen as two 16-year-old kids, but as Lily’s loving, worried parents. The nursing staff were outstanding with the two of them, making sure they had what the needed to care for their daughter, but also confirming they were caring for themselves and respecting their wishes. Thirty-one days later, on a beautiful fall day, sweet Lily took her last breath and left this earth. Although we only had 46 short days with Lily, she made such a huge impact on so many, and therefore, in order to pay honor to Lily Mae, Unite4Lily was devised as we want to give back, as others gave to us! We want to provide the children and families at Peyton Manning Children's Hospital of Indianapolis materials to help ease their stay, whether that be a coloring book, a baby doll, a Hot Wheel or toy dino, we want those children to have materials to help pass their time while at the hospital. We also want to help the families that need assistance as well. Thomas’ parents slept in their car for almost two days and while his mom stayed in Indy for 9 of those days, his mom spent a lot of time in the parking lot, as she was not permitted in the hospital due to COVID. We were fortunate to have friends and family who helped her with lodging and food while she was there. Alex and Thomas were able to dine within the hospital, but let’s face it, a cold sandwich and a bag of chips is not a full meal. They were grateful for the funding that friends and family supplied in order to get GrubHub and DoorDash a couple times while there. This is where Unite4Lily would like to help families. We would like to be able to provide gift cards for food at local restaurants and food delivery companies as well as assistance with lodging at the facilities that Peyton Manning’s has discounts with. . . And that is how Unite4Lily was formed. That being said, this is will be Unite4Lily's first annual benefit to gather, be entertained, and raise funds in honor of Lily Mae! We hope to see you there to make this a night to remember.