A Jackson, Minnesota, family’s journey from infertility to raising two thriving teenagers is highlighting the lifesaving care provided by Sanford Children’s Hospital, and the Children’s Miracle Network.
Laura Bidne and her husband, Mike, turned to Sanford’s fertility specialists after struggling to start a family. Their dream became reality when they learned they were expecting twins, Thomas and Julia. But the pregnancy quickly became high-risk after early ultrasounds revealed concerns with one of the babies.
Laura experienced serious complications throughout her pregnancy, including heavy bleeding, extended bed rest, and multiple hospitalizations. At just 27 weeks of pregnancy, the twins were born 13 weeks premature, baby Julia weighed 2 pounds, 1 ounce, and Thomas weighed 1 pound, 8 ounces.
Thomas faced the greatest medical challenges, remaining hospitalized for 313 days after birth. While Julia was able to go home sooner, Thomas required months of specialized treatment before returning home with a ventilator, feeding tube, and other medical equipment, supported by Sanford Home Health.
Now, 17 years later, both Thomas and Julia are thriving. Their parents credit the medical team at Sanford Children’s for not only providing expert care but also treating the family with compassion throughout the difficult journey.
The Bidne family’s story serves as a testament to advances in neonatal care and the lasting impact healthcare providers can have on patients and their families, and is the inspiration for this year’s Miracle Treat day goal at the Madison Dairy Queen.
Dairy Queen owner DeLon Mork has set a goal of $80,000 for the Madison DQ this year, the cost of purchasing a Giraffe omnibed, a device used in hospital neonatal intensive care units that mimics the conditions in a mothers womb.
The Dairy Queen will open today at 10am, with kids games and inflatables starting at 4pm. The Live music, featuring Layton Lee & Landree Wilson, as well as Greg Hanson & The Backroads, starts at 7pm.
Raffle tickets to support Miracle Treat day can be purchased here.
