Rock Rapids, Iowa — A Rock Rapids couple who experienced the loss of an infant shortly after birth have started a nonprofit organization to help other couples who face similar tragedies, and they’re raising funds to help them do that.
Jessica Remme and her husband Travis live in Rock Rapids with their two boys. In January 2018, Remme says they were blessed with a baby girl, who they named Oaklyn. But due to an issue that couldn’t have been detected with ultrasound, Oaklyn was born bleeding out internally, and shortly after surgery to attempt to address the problem, she passed away. Or as Remme puts it, “I got to hold her for the first time in 10 hours, and hand her over to live with Jesus.”
She tells us about the Oaklyn Foundation, which they named after their daughter.
She says at this time they provide care packages and information with how to deal with the loss, companionship, and a weighted teddy bear that weighs the same amount as the baby that was lost. But, she says they have raised over $11,000 since December, and it is their goal to provide financial help for these parents as well, especially to help them deal with funeral expenses.
She tells us about a fundraiser.
Remme encourages people to look for Oaklyn Foundation on Facebook for more information or for links to donate. She says they’re also planning a bean bag tournament in Sioux Falls in June, a Pregnancy and Infant Loss Walk/Run in July, and another fundraiser in October.
Remme says she thanks everyone for their financial and community support in their effort.
