Derek and Amber Bonney are both educators in Lehi, Utah. Their rollercoaster journey began when their precious baby, Carl, was born unexpectedly at just 30 weeks. Weighing a little over three pounds, he came into the world fighting. After an emergency C-section and a life flight to a specialized hospital, their world has been turned upside down. The doctors and nurses have been incredible in providing Carl with the specialized care he needs in the NICU. Every day is a testament to Carl's strength and a reminder of the financial burden and emotional strain of his early arrival. Amber has not been able to return to work as she is recovering from an unplanned C-section as well as the emotional toll of driving thirty miles each way multiple times a day to see their baby. They spend their evenings fighting rush hour traffic to hold baby Carl for a few hours and then leave him in the hospital and come home without him.

They both are teachers because they believe in the power of community. Teachers are important contributors to society. They don’t just pass on knowledge but foster critical thinking skills and inspire students and parents while building a nurturing environment for all. As grandparents, we are asking that same nurturing community for support to help Derek and Amber financially navigate this challenging time.

Why They Need Your Help: The medical bills are mounting quickly. Between life flight, an unexpected C-section, an anticipated 10-week NICU stay, specialists, and unexpected travel expenses, they are facing costs they never predicted. When both were working as teachers, their income covered their basic needs, but with just one teacher’s salary, it is not enough to cover the overwhelming medical expenses they are now facing. We are reaching out to our friends, family, and compassionate strangers for help. Your support will go directly toward covering all these expenses for baby Carl and his parents Derek and Amber. May you be blessed for your kindness and generosity.