On September 6, after only the first days of 1st grade had begun, 6 year old Kayden complained to his mother and grandma of a stomachache. He was taken to his clinic where his diagnosis was thought to be a viral GI illness that would pass and was instructed to rest and push fluids. Hours later, Kayden could no longer endure the pain he was feeling, and he was rushed to Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, MN.



What was originally thought to be a GI bug that would pass with time, was discovered to be a strain of Escherichia coli (E. coli) that Kayden's small body could no longer fight on its own. He eventually developed a potentially fatal complication called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) and was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, where he was placed on continuous dialysis. He gets his nutrition from a feeding tube through his nose and receives countless units of blood as his immune system attempts to combat the bacterial infection that has taken over his body...but not his spirit. Kayden spends his days with family continuously by his side, ensuring sure that when he wakes up between restful naps, he sees a loving and familiar face.


Kayden's prognosis is a hopeful one and as his mother, Danyelle, has faith that, "his body will tell us when he is ready to come home...."

And that is WONDERFUL. That is the best news ever. There is no place in the world Kayden's family would rather be than right where they are--right by his side--right where they belong.

But when our lives get difficult, the world around us does not stop to "give us a break" or ease up in any way. If anything, everything around us becomes more demanding. The time Kayden's mother can devote to working her at her job is few and far between, but the bills continue to pile up--setting this family back further and ensuring an even more challenging road ahead.

My hope for this incredibly sweet, strong, adventurous, and loving little boy is that while he is still hospitalized, and that when his body does tell everyone he is ready to come home, that his mother and family can be there to give him all the love and care he needs and deserves—and not be sick with worry about how to make ends meet in the meantime.

Kayden is many wonderful things by nature--but also nurture. This is a family that is so loving of each other (and those around them) in the best of times and the most difficult of times. They don't hesitate for a second to do something kind for those they love....and even those they barely know. I believe we can give a little of that love and kindness back; to help this family to be able to heal and focus on each other in a time of need—ultimately giving Kayden the gift of a healthy and successful recovery.

Peace, Prayers, and Love ~
Amanda (Panda) Roeser


To read more about Kayden's illness and how he was infected, please click on the link below.

https://www.fox9.com/news/state-health-officials-investigating-e-coli-outbreak-at-state-fair-after-11-people-fall-ill