5k-run will help Fairview family care for premature baby
By Robert Stevens
Managing editor
Aug. 31, 2017
FAIRVIEW—Friends are rallying to help a Fairview couple stay by the side of their baby girl, who was born July 19, two and half months before her due date, and is still in the neonatal intensive care unit at Utah Valley Regional Medical (UVRMC).
Because of her premature birth, Harlow Beesley, daughter of Tim and Lindsay Beesley of Fairvew, could be susceptible to a host of problems, including cerebral palsy. But she has gained weight and appears to be improving.
At birth, Harlow weighed 1-1/2 pounds and was 12-1/2 inches long, a long way from the average for a newborn, which is 7-1/2 pounds and 20 inches long.
“Baby Harlow and the Beesleys are going through a battle and fight that most of us hopefully never have to experience,” said Luke Kelso, long-time family friend.
Kelso and his wife, Jerrylynn, have organized a 5K run-walk on Saturday, with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m., to raise money to help the Beesleys with medical expenses and with the costs of staying in Provo to be with their baby.
Lindsey Beesley said she knew there was something wrong when she began bleeding heavily at about 22 weeks. A visit to her obstetrician’s office left her with a diagnosis of placenta previa, a condition where the placenta covers the cervix rather than being at the top of the uterus. The condition makes the mother susceptible to internal bleeding.
A neonatologist from UVRMC) suggested an early caesarian to prevent life-threatening complications for both Lindsey and her infant.
“…I can tell you that there is nothing in this world as painful as watching your child fight for her life,” Lindsey said in a blog post. “I so badly just want us to be able to focus on her growing and breathing without an acute illness each week.”
According to Kelso, Lindsey has only been able to hold her little girl for about an hour a day. But Kelso says Harlow is improving daily and is up to 3 pounds now.
On Sunday, Aug. 27, Tim held his daughter for the first time.
“My heart exploded as I watched Tim hold her in his arms and stare at her with absolute love,” Lindsey said. “She has the very best dad in the world, and I can’t wait to watch the bond that the two of them create.”
Kelso and his wife, Jerrylynn, agree that Tim and his family are exceptional and deserve to be with their daughter as much as possible without having to worry about travel expenses.
“Tim is one of my best friends, and I wanted to do something to help his family with the expenses of traveling to see Harlow every day,” Kelso said. “Donations are nice, but I was looking for something more.”
He and his wife had decided to get the community involved by organizing the 5K run-walk.
“I’m hoping the run can be a fight for everyone participating, maybe even a struggle or challenge. Maybe in a symbolic way we can be fighting for (Harlow) during those couple of miles and lighten her load. Running for fun shouldn’t be in the same sentence, but running for a reason, that’s something I’m hoping a lot of us can do.”
Registration for the 5K run is $15 and will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday at 180 Fitness, 180 N. State in Mt. Pleasant. A yoga instructor will be present to help racers warm up before the race.
Participants will be shuttled to Mountainville Road, the back road between Mt. Pleasant and Fairview near Mountain Spring Honey Co., before the race begins at 8 a.m.
In addition to the run, people who want to help can purchase raffle tickets for items such as a photo shoot; Fizz drinks; gift certificates to Horseshoe Mountain Hardware and Terrel’s bakery; and the “big items,” including a BBQ grill and a rifle.
An account with the name “Running for Harlow” has been set up at Cache Valley Bank for people who want to donate directly to the family.
To register for the run or for other questions, contact Jerrylynn Kelso at 469-0181 or by email at Jlynnkelso5853@gmail.com.
All proceeds and donations will go to the Beesley family.
