Support is huge for little Knox

(Above) Troy, Carrie, Drake and Tate Tysdahl, pictured above with baby Knox, plan to be at the event on May 20 to say hello after many months away.-Submitted photo.

5K Run, Walk, Wag to benefit local family

A Clear Lake family with their pre-mature baby is fighting the big fight and winning!

Knox Tysdahl was born on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at just 23 weeks and four days gestation age at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) in Iowa City, Iowa.  His parents, Troy and Carrie Tysdahl, live in Clear Lake where Troy is a teacher and coach at Clear Lake High School and Carrie is a sales representative for American Solutions for Business.  They have two other sons, Tate, five-years, and Drake, three, who attend Clear Lake Schools and will be in kindergarten and preschool next year.

Carrie was admitted to UIHC Feb. 22 after her water broke at only 22 weeks.  After 11 days, she required an emergency C-Section to get Knox out safely and give him a fighting chance.  He weighed just one-pound, three ounces at birth and was a mere 11.4 inches long.

While he has achieved many milestones, his journey will prove to be a long one with uncertainty and challenges that lie ahead.  He battles each day in the NICU at UIHC.

When Knox is able to go home, he will have numerous obstacles to overcome as he continues to grow and develop.

“We know it will not be easy, but his fighting spirit and feisty personality, coupled with the guiding hand of God, gives us confidence he will come home,” said Troy and Carrie Tysdahl.  “Knox is a miracle from our loving and gracious God. He continues to amaze us all as he endures the challenges he faces.”

Friends of the Tysdahl family have organized a 5K Run, Walk, Wag for Saturday, May 20.

Registration starts at 7 a.m. for the #TeamKnox  5K Run, Walk, Wag.  The race starts at 8 a.m. in front of Cutting Edge Fitness, 5 Teamquest Way, Clear Lake. Cost is $20 for pre-orders and includes a #TeamKnox T-Shirt.  On race day the cost is $25, with no shirt available.  Prizes will be awarded for first through third place in both men’s and women’s divisions, but participants can walk or “wag” too.   There will also be door prizes, good  times and even a silent auction to help raise funds for the challenges that baby Knox will be facing each day.

All proceeds from the event will go to the #TeamKnox fund.  Go to www.facebook.com/events/276254112818203/ for more information.