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About Ben
Ben Hanson was born six weeks premature on
March 3rd, 2005 with a rare lymphatic disorder. Ben was a courageous,
beautiful boy. Although not expected to live through his first night, Ben
fought for over two months, passing away in the early morning hours the day
after Mother's Day.
Ben was diagnosed at birth with
Hydrops Fetalis, where the lymph vessels are abnormally dilated causing
excessive accumulation
of lymph fluid that often results in death. Hydrops can be caused by many
different underlying ailments. In Ben's case, the cause was determined to
be Systemic Lymphangiectasia after his death. This disease is quite rare
and very little is known about
it, even the cause.
Ben touched many hearts through
his CaringBridge website and online journal kept by Ben's parents. Click HERE
to read Ben's Journal and the many inspirational messages left by his family
and friends.
Ben spent his life at the
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children's Hospital in St Paul, MN. The
Neonatology Fellows from the University of Minnesota were an instrumental part
of his care.
The Benjamin Walker Hanson Neonatology Fund,
a perpetual endowment managed by the Minnesota Medical Foundation (MMF),
has been established to support research and education at the U of M Division of
Neonatology.
The proceeds from Ben's Buddies Events are
donated to Ben's fund so that other babies like Ben will live a long, normal,
happy life.
families
and friends who have suffered the loss of a child while raising funds for
newborn research & education.
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Ben's
Buddies Charity Events
