By Joanne Dorr
The Haldimand Press
Malachi VanWoudenberg – 2017 Recipient
CANFIELD—Born at 25 weeks and two days in 2016, Malachi and his triplet siblings, Liam and Taylor, spent a considerable time in the neonatal ward before going home. All three were born under two pounds, with Malachi being born with chronic lung disease, also known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Malachi’s mother, Jodi, points out, “It’s not a genetic disease; it’s the result of being born prematurely. The lungs sustain some damage from being ventilated and having to work so early. When they were trying to stabilize him at birth, right when he was born, he got a pneumothorax; one of his lungs popped and there was air in his chest cavity. I’m sure that hole contributed to him having a harder course than the other two even though they were born at the same time.”
After being born, Malachi was in the hospital for 11 months while his siblings were able to go home earlier. “We lived at the Ronald McDonald House for seven months,” explains Jodi. During that time they met another Haldimand-based family, who gave the VanWoudenberg’s name to the Knights of Columbus and suggested they would benefit from the Caledonia Chili Cook Off (CCCO) event.
Proceeds from the 2017 CCCO helped Malachi and his family with ongoing medical supplies like respiratory equipment, a suction machine, humidifiers, tracheostomy tubes, and treatments necessary for his development and survival.
Today at age six, Malachi is doing much better. His tracheostomy and feeding tubes have been removed and his lungs have gotten bigger and healthier. When he gets sick he sometimes requires oxygen at home. Jodi warmly adds, “The Knights of Columbus were kind and helpful and really care about the recipients. We are grateful for the support they gave us!”
The 7th Annual Knights of Columbus Caledonia Chili Cook Off takes place on Saturday April 22, from 4-8 p.m. at the Riverside Exhibition Centre at 151 Caithness St. E. in Caledonia. Admission is $5 and you can get eight chili samples for $20. There’s over $15,000 in prizes to be won, including two round trip tickets with WestJet.
