Help Dee and Kevin Heal from Heartbreak

To know Dee Benson and Kevin Gaughan is to love them. After settling down from their traveling nurse assignments, they decided to call Portland “home,” and were eager to start a family.

They announced their pregnancy to family and friends on Mother’s Day. Much to their delight, they found out shortly after that Dee was carrying identical twin boys.

In late June, complications from pregnancy led to bed rest, causing Dee to be unable to work. In late July, at just 23 weeks gestation, Dee’s water broke; causing hospitalization and 24-hr monitoring.

Early in the morning of August 6, the boys entered into the world via c-section. Elliott Benson arrived weighing in at 838 grams and Julius Michael arrived weighing in at 803 grams. Both were described as healthy sizes for babies born at 25.4 weeks gestation.

At first they were stable but challenges started quickly for sweet Elliott. On Tuesday, August 7th, Elliot Benson passed away in the arms of his father, while peacefully being sung to by his mother.

Julius remained strong, as did Dee and Kevin. While he had some major medical challenges over the days ahead, they were given hope when finally told by their medical team “they are day to day; not hour to hour” and to “start thinking about Thanksgiving.” Dee, Kevin, and the rest of the family finally breathed a short sigh of relief. Sadly, it was very temporary.

The day following that very positive report, Julius had a major unexpected episode and passed quickly. Dee held Julius in her arms, Kevin by her side. Together they watched their second son take his last breath on August 13th.

Elliott and Julius were laid to rest on August 19, 2024 surrounded by their grieving parents, family and close friends.

No parent should ever have to experience the pain and heartache Dee and Kevin have experienced these past weeks. They have both dedicated their lives to helping and saving others. It is time we all help them.

All funds collected will help cover the cost of medical bills, burial and memorial costs, as well as ongoing costs of whatever Dee and Kevin need to support their recovery.