What is Kylie's Kause?

Kylie Marie McGrail was born on January 17, 2004 at 29 weeks gestation (11 weeks premature). She was 3lbs 2oz but despite many efforts by doctors and nurses she passed away two days later on January 19 th , 2004. She spent her entire short life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St. Joseph's Hospital in London, Ontario.

Determined to keep her memory alive and help others in the process Kylie's parents, Steve and Lisa put their grief into action and created Kylie's Kause with all money being donated to the NICU at St. Joseph's Hospital. When Kylie was born , there were no Giraffe Omnibeds in the NICU but this expensive state of the art incubator was on the NICU's wishlist. So a goal was created to help fund a $60,000 Giraffe Omnibed in Kylie's Memory.

Kylie's Kause is an annual Walk/Run and Silent Auction which occurs each July in their hometown of Wyoming, Ontario (45min SW of London). The walk/run is a participatory family oriented event that is non-competitive in nature. The distance for the event is 2miles (3.2km) and has a slogan of “A Couple of Miles to See the Smiles”. The distance in kilometers also matches Kylie's birth weight of 3.2 lbs. A BBQ lunch is held after the walk/run and a huge silent auction of 400+ donated items takes place in the fair building.

The first Kylie's Kause event took place in July 2004, just 6months after Kylie passed away. Overwhelmingly, the entire town and neighboring towns came out drawing over 500 people and raised an incredible $20,000. From there, Kylie's Kause became a permanent fixture on the social calendars of many people. Doctors, directors and nurses from the NICU come annually to participate as do many families and children who have graduated from the NICU and in many cases have used the Giraffe beds that Kylie's Kause raises money for.

“Kylie's Kause takes a lot of time and energy to prepare but is only a fraction of the time that we would have spent with Kylie if she was still with us.”

Kylie's Kause is a fun event that pays tribute to a special little girl. Unable to help herself, Kylie helps give the best start to life and the best chance of survival for premature babies. Every premature baby deserves a chance to be on the miracle board outside of the NICU. Our Kylie never got to be on that board but she is helping many others have that opportunity and to us, that is her legacy. A legacy that will be far-reaching and touch every baby that spends time in one of the Giraffe Omnibeds.

Donations to Date:

•  -$20,000

•  - $21,375

•  -$22,000

•  -$26,000

•  -$38,000

•  -$43,000

A Giraffe Omnibed. Click for more information.