We are blessed by the individuals and organizations who have come by our side to support us and share in our journey. We are humbled, grateful and forever thankful for their kindness and philanthropy. Please consider donating to these non-profits. They’ve significantly improved Cooper’s quality of life and raised his spirits along with ours.
Triumph Together
https://www.triumphtogether.net/
In 2020, Cooper met Jack Gates, a Colorado College hockey player who founded Triumph Together. The organization’s mission is to connect collegiate and professional athletes with children in hospitals, offering unforgettable experiences such as game tickets, meet-and-greets with players, videos of encouragement ahead of potentially scary medical procedures, and signed gear. Jack and Cooper quickly bonded over their shared love of hockey, and Jack wrote Super Cooper Wins the Stanley Cup as a tribute to Cooper’s resilience and love for the sport.
Rooting For Robert
This is a picture of Cooper and Robert. They both have Morquio A. Robert’s parents started Rooting for Robert, a non profit dedicated to funding research that will lead to a cure for this rare and devastating disease. Not only do they give us hope for better treatments and a cure, but a renewed sense of community in this Rare Disease journey.
Canine Companions
Canine Companions paired Cooper and I with Service Dog Velocity in February of 2020, free of charge. Velocity joins us for all of Cooper’s medical appointments. She can pick up objects, help Cooper take his socks off, apply calming pressure to his legs, and makes Cooper “the kid with the dog” instead of “the short funny kid”. (Well, I guess he’s still funny anyway.) Everyday I thank the Lord for this sweet furry soul and the difference she makes in Cooper’s life.
Baking Memories for Kids
https://www.bakingmemories4kids.com/
Frank and his non profit, Baking Memories for Kids, provides children with life threatening and /or terminal illnesses and their families an all-expense paid vacation to all the theme parks in Orlando, Florida. DISNEY WORLD!!!! Our family was nominated and Cooper was chosen to be a “Cookie Kid” in November of 2018. In March of 2019, we had the trip of a lifetime staying at Give Kids the World Village, visiting Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Legoland and Sea World. How does Frank finance sending families to Florida for a week? He sells cookies – delicious chocolate chip cookies. Buy some for yourself and as gifts for the holidays!
National MPS Society
The National MPS Society exists to advocate, support and find a cure for those affected with MPS and ML. I am an active board member and have embraced the advocacy and fundraising roles. I can talk to friends and doctors about Cooper’s condition, and because of the MPS Society, I can also speak with our elected officials about what needs to happen to help our community. In 2020, the society awarded over $700,000 in research grants. Visit Cooper’s Courage Page to donate to their mission. Our work is not done until there is a cure.
Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation
https://www.dawgnationhockey.org/
Dawg Nation Hockey provides families and individuals with assistance and opportunities during times of crisis. Their tag line, “Play Hard, Play Fair, Give Back” says it all. Dawg Nation hosted a fundraiser for us in 2021 and not only presented us a check, but drafted Cooper as a Dawg (the highlight of the night)! We used the donation to follow the Colorado Avalanche on a road trip. We are excited to be a part of such a fabulous organization and look forward to years of fun and giving back with the Dawgs.
Rare Mom Life 