Support Bridget and Colby in Memory of Beckham

Beckham Hughes Kraus was born September 12, 24 at 8:31am - 20.76 inches and 7lbs 6oz. He earned his angel wings on Saturday, October 5th, after 23 days of life. His life, though too short, was full of miracles and love.

At 22 weeks of pregnancy, his parents (Bridget and Colby Kraus) were told of his rare cardiac heart defect and spent months preparing for his journey earthside. During his time in the womb, Beck never developed fluid around his heart or lungs, a common and dangerous complication that often leads to cardiac arrest. Miraculously, his heart pressure stabilized—something even the doctors couldn't fully explain.

In an extraordinary last-minute decision, Beck was born at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital on September 12th. Cardinal Glennon rarely performs births, and Beck was the first baby born there in over a year. If Beck had been delivered elsewhere, there's a good chance he would not have lived long enough to make it to his first surgery. He immediately went from delivery in the OR to a different OR for his first open-heart surgery, in which he did well! The doctors were shocked and hopeful at how well his heart was functioning. However, after his second heart surgery, they took a lung biopsy which led to the diagnoses of a lung condition that was not recoverable. This had developed from the CHD and resulted in poor blood flow to his lungs in utero, but could not be detected on ultrasound. Due to this fatal prognosis, care was withdrawn, and Bridget and Colby were able to hold Beckham as he passed comfortably in their arms after 23 precious days.

During his life, Beckham knew nothing but an overwhelming and all-encompassing love. His parents spent everyday by his side, and Beckham spent his time watching movies, reading stories, listening to music, watching MU and Chiefs wins, trying breast milk (and chocolate frosting), smell and feeling things from the outside (grass/flowers/trees/dirt/rocks/fur from his puppies), hearing his grandpa sing and play guitar, and so much more. His parents made sure he had every experience possible, and went extraordinary lengths in order to do. He was so deeply and profoundly loved. His life was one not only worth mourning, but also worth celebrating.

In the wake of his passing, Bridget has begun working on a non-profit in Beck's name to do book bundles and funds for heart/lung kiddos in PICUs/NICUs, which will be affectionately called "The Beckham Bee Foundation." However, filing for this comes with expenses and has been stalled due to other expenses they've encountered from medical bills and funeral costs. Even with insurance, it's estimated medical bills will be around $20,000-30,000.

Financial stress in the midst of grief is something no parent should ever have to deal with. Many of us are looking for ways we can bless Bridget and Colby this Christmas season, and have decided setting up a GoFundMe might be something that would be a huge blessing to them, but perhaps a gift they would never consider asking for.

We are trying to keep this from Bridget and Colby as much as possible to help relieve and minimize stress, and plan to present them with the money raised on Christmas. We would like to keep this a SURPRISE, so if sharing PLEASE select "Friends except (tag their profiles)" in the "who can see your post" section before posting to keep them from seeing it!—and it can truly be a surprise for them this Christmas.

Bridget and Colby are some of the greatest people, and greatest parents, Beckham could've possibly had. As much as they are grieving, we know it's also important that they feel like his life is celebrated and his story shared and impactful for others. This money raised will not only help them navigate the medical expenses from the PICU/funeral costs, but will also allow them to move forward with filing for the Beckham Bee Foundation, which will impact many families' lives for years to come.