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LCCVI student Krista Campbell has created an independent project to share the "Me to We" spirit. She has coined the term "Kaps for Kylie". Krista creates handmade knitted 'Slouchy touques". They are quite stylish and are catching on among students and adults alike ... and even young children are sporting some of her creations. She is selling them for $20.00 and 100% of the profit is being donated to Kylie's Kause to help purchase Giraffe Omnibeds for the NICU at St. Joseph's Hospital in London.
Krista is willing to do custom orders to meet specific colour or style requests. Child/infant sizes can also be created.
Details: Slouchy handmade touques are 20% wool, bulky, and warm. There are a variety of colours with the most popular being the neutrals: oatmeal, wheat, taupe, linen, grey marble, fishermen. Also available in these colors: navy, black, charcoal, barley (brown), blue denim, spice (rust), fig (purply/pink), red, sky blue, pine.
So far she has sold over 40 and has raised over $1800.00. If you are interested and need a warm hat for winter or a unique gift for that hard to buy for person...consider a slouchy touque.."all the cool kids are wearing them!!"
$20 per hat and all proceeds to Kylie's Kause
To order: Call Krista at 519-844-2186
or email k_campbell24@hotmail.com
Kause and Effect
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KYLIE'S CAUSE
Fundraiser to cope with daughter's death unstoppable (click here)
Jenni Dunning
Sun Media
June 26, 2008
Raptors Community MVPs
Click here for Raptor Website Article
Jermaine O'Neal - During the month of November Jermaine hosted a holiday party for 100 local underprivileged children and youth at the Air Canada Centre. He provided them with a turkey dinner, gifts, entertainment as well as a shopping spree at the Eaton Centre Sport Chek. He also invited all his guests to a January game including transportation, tickets and food vouchers.
Steve and Lisa McGrail established "Kylie's Kause", a charity established to benefit the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at London's St. Joseph's Hospital in memory of their daughter Kylie. Since 2004, they have raised over $128,000 through a variety of initiatives and events.
Remembering Matthew, Kylie
Click Here for LFP Article
The sky didn't look like it would co-operate in the morning, but it cleared by the afternoon for another successful Matthew Mailing Golf Tournament recently....
Stephanie (nee Reeb) and Mike Konstantinou and their twin girls Ruby and Lilly take part in Kylie's Kause by walking 2 miles in Nunavut on July 6th, 2008 at the same time our walk took place. Lilly and Ruby were born in Edmonton and spent time in Giraffe Omnibeds until they grew bigger and stronger. Stephanie is a former resident of Wyoming and grew up with Steve and attended high school with both Lisa and Steve. Although thousands of miles away they were with us in spirit and doing their part.
 Cooper Cahill lived only a short time, but his mother, Sheri, is determined that his memory will live on, and that his brief life will bring new hope to dozens of other babies and their families. Cooper was born prematurely on June 14, 2007. He weighed just 1lb. 5 oz. The tiny infant put up a brave battle, but after five-and-a-half months, his severely underdeveloped lungs could no longer keep him alive. “We held him in our arms as we said goodbye,” said Mrs. Cahill. Determined to keep Cooper’s memory alive, and to help give other premature babies a better chance at life, Mrs. Cahill and her husband Stewart has joined forces with a Wyoming, ON area couple, Steve and Lisa McGrail, who lost their daughter Kylie when she was born prematurely in 2004. “Cooper’s Challenge” has been added to the existing event “Kylie’s Kause”. The two km charity walk, now in its fifth year will be held on July 6. In its first four years, Kylie’s Kause has raised over $90,000 for the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for the purchase of Giraffe Omni Beds, a specialized piece of equipment that greatly improves the chances of survival for premature babies. Kylie lived just two days after she was born. At the time there were no Giraffe Omni Beds available at St. Joe’s. Cooper spent the first two months of his life in one of the specialized beds, which gave him a better chance of survival. Other premature babies who might not otherwise have survived have been saved by the beds. More of the beds are needed however. Mrs. Cahill said she is hoping that the people of Strathroy-Caradoc will help to make this the best year ever for the event. With the size of the community, and the size of the hearts of local residents, she said she hopes that Cooper’s contingent will make a real difference. She said she hopes that local residents will sponsor her during the walk or, better yet, collect sponsors and come out to the event themselves. Sign-up sheets and pledge forms are available at The Age Dispatch office or from Mrs. Cahill. For more information, contact Mrs. Cahill at 519-247-3881 or email st_rodeo@hotmail.com. |
 Hi. My name is Stephanie Konstantinou (nee Reeb). I grew up with Steve in Wyoming and became friends with Lisa in high school. I've lived above the Arctic Circle in the territory of Nunavut with my husband for 5 years now. In April 2007, while we were 24 weeks pregnant with twins, we were told that one of our twins was not growing as she had insufficient blood flow to her body. We were told to prepare ourselves for her death in-utereo within a few days. Our other twin had a "reasonable chance". So we prayed and waited. A month later, at 28 weeks, after many ultrasounds, they discovered that she had inexplicably begun to grow again. At 29 weeks, I became very ill with H.E.L.L.P. syndrome and we had to have an emergency c-section to save my life. On May 29th, 2007 at 1:03am and 1:05am, Ruby and Lily were born. They had warned us that Lily (the one who had difficulties growing) would probably need resuscitation and would probably have many problems. She came out crying. Ruby needed some help but she too was able to cry. Ruby was 2 lbs. 14 oz. and Lily was 1 lb. 11 oz. The girls were born in Edmonton so we spent the next three months in the NICU of the Royal Alex hospital. Lily did have some issues and she had to live in critical care for 2 and ½ months. Ruby lived in critical care for 2 months. While in there, they lived in the newest Giraffe beds with all of the best technology keeping them alive. I remember when they were transferred to open air cots after 2 months…I was afraid. I had depended greatly on those Giraffe beds, it was hard to have them leave that cocoon. At the Royal Alex hospital, there are 4 critical care pods with 6 Giraffe beds in each pod. While we were there, the beds were almost always full. To a parent with a preemie, those beds give the girls what our bodies couldn't any longer. They are a life line. When I read that when Kylie was born, there were no Giraffe beds, I was amazed. I had taken for granted that all NICU's had them. What Steve and Lisa are doing is extraordinary. I'm not sure how our little Lily would have done without her cocoon. I am so grateful to them as they are providing hope and life and sustainability to so many wee babies. Today, Ruby and Lily are happy, healthy, radiant one year old toddlers! Looking at them, you would never know how they spent those first few months of life. But my husband and I remember and we are so thankful. We cannot be in Ontario for the annual walk, but we will be walking up here in the Arctic at the same time, thanking God for people like Steve and Lisa and all of you who help to buy those beds! Happy Walking! |
 Kylie's Kause walk/run set for July 6 By Petrolia Topic Staff WYOMING — The fifth annual Kylie's Kause walk/run and silent auction will be held here on Sunday, July 6, starting at 1 p.m. at the Wyoming fairgrounds. Proceeds will go to St. Joseph's Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in London, Ont. Kylie’s Kause is held in memory of Kylie McGrail, who was born prematurely at 29 weeks gestation on July 17, 2004 and died on Jan 19, 2004. She was the daugther of Steve and Lisa McGrail of Wyoming. Since 2004, more than $90,000 has been donated to the NICU at St. Joseph's Hospital to purchase special Giraffe Omni beds — which are the “Cadillacs” of incubators. The beds cost between $50,000 and $60,000. In 2004, the NICU didn't have any beds and now the unit boasts seven. St. Joseph's NICU serves all Southwestern Ontario and provides care to 500-600 babies per year with about five per cent of that total being Sarnia-Lambton babies. “Kylie's Kause is a loving tribute to Kylie but also an event that pulls our local communities together to support a great event and provides an opportunity for other families who have used the NICU with their children to come out and support the unit as well as provide support to one another,” says Steve McGrail. “What makes it special is when we see children and their families come out to walk who have spent time in one of the Giraffe beds we are raising money for,” he says. “It really makes it special. We know our event played a special part in providing the best possible equipment for the doctors and nurses to use and has really provided that child with the best chance of survival. Helping create miracles is what Kylie's Kause has been able to do.” To date, more than 260 items have been donated for the silent auction which will follow the walk/run on Sunday, July 6. Some items include a Blue Jays package, community suite for 20 people at the SSEC, VIA Rail train passes to Ottawa, Toronto Maple Leafs team signed stick, Justin Morneau signed bat, signed books, garden items, framed prints/paintings, hammock, brewery tour, Ontario attraction passes, golf passes, hotel stays (Chatham, London, Kingston, Toronto, Casino Windsor), air hockey table, several signed jerseys and sports memorabilia, dinner for two at Inniskillin Wines in Niagara on the Lake, and much more. “The community support has been incredible the past four years and this year people have stepped up once again to support our event,” says Lisa McGrail. Bell Aliant, Formosa Graphics, Via Rail, SA&P, Wyoming Foodland, Wyoming Meter, Hawaiian Tropic Suncare, 3M, Running Room, Schneider's, Chapman's Ice Cream, Wyoming Agricultural Society, Southwest Regional Credit Union-Wyoming Branch, Wyoming Fire Department, Lambton Central/Petrolia Optimist Club and many others have thrown their support towards the event so there basically are no costs to stage the event. Generations Daycare at Lambton Meadowview Villa near Petrolia will hold its own walk with all the kids at the main site on Friday, June 27. Many schools in the Lambton Kent District School Board are staging their own fundraising Friday events for Kylie's Kause throughout June. Also this year, the Cahill family from Exeter started Cooper's Challenge for Kylie's Kause, in memory of their son Cooper who died after spending time in the NICU. They are collecting auction items, pledges, and bringing a group of participants to walk in support of the NICU. Also, two young boys (Kevin McGrail and David Edgar) celebrated birthdays this year and instead of receiving gifts, they asked for donations for Kylie's Kause. This year will also mark the first year for the Kylie's Kause Community Spirit Awards to be given out at Wyoming Public School and Holy Rosary School in Wyoming and at Lambton Central Centennial School near Petrolia where Steve McGrail teaches. They will be presented to one boy and one girl in any grade at the above schools, who go out of their way to make their school, community and world a better place. If anyone would like to donate an item or register for the walk/run, or sponsor a participant, contact Steve or Lisa McGrail at 519-845-1175 or mcgrailfamily@kylieskause.com. A full listing of items and registration information is at www.kylieskause.com. 
Kylie's Kause was donated a Walter Gretzky Signed Glider Rocker Chair in 2007 to raffle off. The Draw was held on December 23rd, 2007 and the winner was Nicole Wilkins of Mandaumin, Ontario. Over $2500 was raised and 1285 tickets were sold. The chair was constructed by Steve Smith of Brantford, with the sticks collected by Walter Gretzky. |
February 16th, 2008 Steve and Lisa were guests of BMO Canada at the Maple Leafs Game as part of BMO's Heroes of the Game Program which recognizes people doing good things in their community. Lisa and Steve received tickets to watch the Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins and two Leafs jerseys to wear and were featured on the Jumbotron Scoreboard for 30seconds in the first period. |
One Sunday afternoon in the heat of July, hundreds of supportive runners and walkers came out to run, walk, jog and push strollers a couple of miles around the quiet, rural town of Wyoming, Ontario (located 20 minutes east of Sarnia). The reason thet come is to participate in the annual "Kylie's Kause," a walk/run in memory if a very special girl. Kylie Marie McGrail was only a part of this world for two very short days, yet her life has provided inspiration for us, her parents, to help other infants and their families. Kylie was born at 29 weeks gestation on January 17, 2004, and sadly, despite the efforts of many doctors and nurses, passed away on January 19, 2004 in St. Joseph's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in London, Ontario. Kylies was our first child. All funds raised from the event go towards the purchase of specialized Giraffe Omni beds for the NICU at St. Joseph's. Giraffe Omni beds are thermally controlled incubators that allow doctors and nurses to work on infants without having to move them and cause undue stress. Since 2004, over $63,000 has been raised and one bed (cost $60,000) has been fully funded by Kylie's Kause. Kylie's Kause is a total community effort and participants, both young and old, come out to support the event. Participants recieved special event T-shirts, which features Kylie's actual footprints, promotional freebies, lunch and prizes. After the walk/run, the action heads indoors to the 400 item silent auction featuring a wide array of items, including hotel stays, train trips, crafts, paintings, sports, a TV, music memorabilia, toys and much more. A Highlight in 2006 was four tickets to a taping of the Canadian Idol show in Toronto. A 50/50 draw was held at the conclusion of the event. Wyoming (population 2000) and the surrounding communities have supported the event wholeheartedly. Many businesses locally and around the province have all stepped up to help with sponsorship, auction items and volunteers. The Running Room Store in Sarnia, upon their opening in 2005, was quick to join support of Kylie's Kause. It promoted the event in the clinics and store and provided great auction items for bids and bags and tatoos for registration packages. In July 2006, there were 12 young people who spent the beginning days and weeks of their lives in St. Joseph's NICU. The NICU at St. Joseph's provides care for critically ill and premature newborns in Southwestern Ontario. The Unit cares for 600-700 newborns annually with an average stay of 17 to 18 days. The 4th Annual Kylie's Kause is slated for Sunday, July 8, 2007. All walkers and runners are invited to come walk/run or jog a couple of miles to see the smiles you help put on hundreds of tiny faces. Check out the event website at www.kylieskause.com. We are hoping to raise $100,000 by our fifth year in 2008. |
| MONEY WILL BUY BEDS FOR PREMATURE
NEWBORNS - The Sarnia Observer CATHY DOBSON - Local News - Monday, July 09, 2007 @ 16:00 Kylie's Kause isn't only a fundraiser for the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Joseph's Hospital in London. The annual walk/run and silent auction in memory of the little Wyoming baby has become an opportunity for families struggling with sick children to support one another emotionally. "The (neonatal) unit has saved my son's life," said a tearful Heather Vasey of Petrolia as she began the two-mile trek from the fairgrounds, Sunday. Vasey's son Adam was born prematurely on April 18 and weighed less than a pound. He has spent his entire life lying in what's known as a Giraffe Omnibed, the kind being purchased for the hospital with proceeds from Kylie's Kause. Each bed costs about $60,000. "The doctors only gave him a 20 per cent chance but now he's doing well," Vasey said. Adam remains in hospital but he's off the respirator and weighs in at 4.5 pounds. Vasey participated in the fourth annual walk/run with her other son Aidan in tow. Aidan is four now but also had a shaky start in life and received care from St. Joseph's neonatal intensive care unit. They accompanied about 400 others who listened while Dr. Henri Roukema thanked them for their commitment on such a hot day. Dr. Roukema was little Kylie McGrail's physician when she was born prematurely and died two days later in 2004. At that time, there were no Giraffe Omnibeds, which can best be described as the Cadillac of incubators. Now the unit has four. "We'd like to have 10 altogether," Dr. Roukema said. "This is a very big help. It's just stunning to see so many people here." Kylie's father and mother, Steve and Lisa McGrail, also took time to personally thank the participants. "It's hard to believe it's been four years since we lost Kylie," said Steve, his voice choked with emotion. "There's a miracle board of photos at the unit and we had hoped she would be on that board. "We're glad, at least, that we can help so that others will be on that board." Plympton-Wyoming Mayor Lonny Napper paid tribute to Kylie as well. "Kylie's life was very short but, man, does she have a lot of friends," he said. "Her life was short but it's had a long impact." Since its inception, Kylie's Kause has raised about $63,000. Steve McGail predicted at least $20,000 more would be raised on Sunday. The effort has grown beyond the walk this year, he said, noting that Generations Day Care near Petrolia raised $1,186 in an event of its own. Twelve area schools worked together to raise another $1,500. "And there are students doing speeches and legacy projects for Kylie's Kause. It's very, very encouraging," he said. |
| The 2006 McMaster Arch Award
Recipient Lisa McGrail B.Kin ’97 & Steve McGrail B.Kin ’97 Faculty of Social Sciences
For the first year of the charity event, Lisa and Steve had set a modest goal of $5,000 and figured over 5 years a $25,000 donation would be a nice gift to the NICU in memory of Kylie. They were overjoyed when they raised a total of $20,000 in their first event. The second year of the event, held in July, 2005 raised over $21,000. The money raised is being used to purchase specialized Giraffe Omni Beds that are used to treat sick and premature babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Their silent auction has been very successful, comprising of 280 items in the first year and continuing to grow to almost 400 items for its second year. Lisa and Steve have received much praise from St. Joseph’s Health Centre, their local community and surrounding area, businesses, family, friends and fellow supporters of the cause. The event has attracted a lot of media attention in their community and in London. They have attracted many large sponsors to help support the event, as well as many smaller local sponsors. Most recently, they created a website for Kylie’s Kause that allows you to register, view the photo gallery, see a listing of silent action items and learn more about St. Joseph’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Kylie’s Kause has been a proven success. Aside from their dedicated work organizing Kylie’s Kause, Lisa is a Registered Physical Therapist at CBI Physiotherapy & Rehabilitaion Centre in Sarnia and Steve has taught for eight years, currently teaching at Lambton Centennial School in Petrolia, Ontario. After both graduating with Bachelor of Kinesiology degrees from McMaster, Lisa earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Toronto and Steve earned a Bachelor of Education from the University of Windsor. They have both also volunteered their time coaching a Special Olympics Soccer Team, Lisa for eight years and Steve for ten. Steve is an active runner, has trained for and ran the Walt Disney World Marathon and has dedicated many hours to coaching baseball, track and field and volleyball. Their tireless dedication to their community has not gone unnoticed and has no doubt been an important contributor to the success of their foundation. Lisa and Steve McGrail reside in Wyoming with their son Jace,
born in April 2005. They both would like to be remembered
for being able to take a personal tragedy and turn it into a loving
tribute in memory of their daughter Kylie, ultimately raising
money for the NICU and assisting other families faced with premature/ill
newborns. |
A Mile in Their Shoes
Vim and Vigor 2005 - Page 55
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ONTARIO COUPLE IS RAISING FUNDS FOR THE NICU WHILE HONOURING THE
MEMORY OF THEIR DAUGHTER Kylie Marie McGrail was only a part of this world for two very short days, yet her life is having a profound impact on other infants and families. Kylies was born at just 29 weeks gestation on Jan. 17, 2004 at St. Joseph's Hospital. Two days later she passed away from complications due to prematurity A Meaningful Life The McGrails' community of Wyoming has whole heartedly taken up the cause and support and helps to promote the event. In July of 2004, the first year of the event, Kylie's Kause raised $20,000. The following July the number climbed to over $21,000 |
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and as this July approaches, the family and friends of Kylie are once again looking for support for the event, which in turn supports the NICU. Tiny Patients |
to fill a need identified by nurses and doctors who recognized that the need to move fragile infants from one type of bed to another created undue stress. Miles of Smiles |
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KYLIE'S KAUSE WEB SITE DESIGNER: LCCVI Grade 11 student Brent Cox has designed the Kylie's Kause Web site and checks the home page with Steve McGrail. The third annual Kylie's Kause will be held on July 9 in Wyoming and is an annual fundraiser for the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Joseph's Hospital in London, Ont. The event is a two-mile walk/run and silent auction and held in memory of Kylie McGrail, daughter of Steve and Lisa McGrail of Wyoming. She was born prematurely at 29 weeks on Jan. 17, 2004 but died two days later. More than $41,000 has been raised with the first two events. Some auction items are already listed for the 2006 event and can be viewed at www.kylieskause.com |
Walking in Kylie's memory
July 2005 - The Observer, Sarnia
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RAISES MORE THAN $20,000 FOR HOSPITAL Wee Kylie McGrail did not survive her early emergence into the world, yet her short life has given birth to a miracle. On sunday, more than 500 people participated in that miracle by walking to raise money for the St. Joseph's Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in London. The event called Kylie's Kause, saw just over $20,000 raised for the purchase of a special $60,000 bed for the 42-bed facility where Southwestern Ontario's tiniest patients are cared for. "It's for the sickest of the sickest infants," unit director Val Rousome told the crowd, "We believe in miracles and you're helping make that happen today." Born on Jan. 17, 2004 at 29 weeks gestation, the premature Kylie died two days later. According to her father Steve McGrail, the expert care his daughter recieved in London helped inspire Kylie's Kause. |
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"You're helpless ... you can only sit and watch and let doctors do their thing." said the Petrolia elementary school teacher. " You hope and pray that everything works out, but this time it didn't." Steve and his wife, Lisa, have another reason to be indebted to the neonatal unit. Earlier this year on April 15, the couple was blessed with the birth of their son Jace. According to Steve, who jogged in Sunday's event, complications forced Lisa to spend seven weeks in the London hospital, prior to Jace's delivery. |
Steve said the neonatal unit holds a "special place" in the hearts of many Lambton County residents. Approximately 50 of the participants who took part Sunday had either had a child or were related to an infant who was cared for there. Sunday marked the second time Kylie's Kause was held. a total of $20,000 was raised for the neonatal unit in 2004. Like last year, a silent auction featuring approximately 375 donated items, was also held. |
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