CHICAGO (WLS) — Wives and girlfriends of White Sox players spent Wednesday packing care packages to help families going through medical treatment.
The cause is very near and dear to one player’s heart.
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White Sox outfielder Mike Tauchman says his daughter’s condition has been very difficult for his family.
But he also thought of how many other families are in a similar situation, and he says he’s wanting to help them however he can.
It resembled an assembly line. As they gathered in a skybox during the Sox game, White Sox partners organized to pack gift bags for patients and their families who are stuck in the hospital, supporting children with cleft palates or other facial conditions.
“We just kind of have that firsthand knowledge of the emotional toll it can have on a family,” Tauchman said.
Remi Tauchman, at 8 months old, is currently full of energy and curiosity. However, she faces her own challenges. Born with a cleft palate, it has impacted her ability to eat.
“She was in so much distress when eating for the first 7 weeks of her life,” mother Eileen Tauchman said.
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In fact, she relied on a feeding tube in those first weeks, while doctors eventually diagnosed the issue.
The Tauchmans learned what their baby is going through is more common than they realized. So, they decided to try to help other families.
“Hospital stays are never fun. So, having a couple extra comforts goes a long way,” Mike Tauchman said.
July is National Cleft and Craniotomy Facial Awareness and Prevention Month, which helped prompt the Tauchmans to begin this effort.
Her parents say Remi Tauchman is doing much better. She is scheduled for surgery later this summer, and they are hoping for the best.
“It’s going to be a difficult journey. But post-recovery, we hope this will become just a memory from the past and not significantly affect her future,” her mother explained.
The Tauchmans say they are still finalizing plans for a fundraiser next month.
They say they not only hope to raise money, but awareness.
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