PENN VALLEY, Calif. November 7, 2016 – A Nevada County couple starts foundation that benefits children with health related challenges and are receiving care from Sacramento based neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) or pediatric intensive care units (PICU) in memory of their daughter Norah Marie Wilson.
Richard and Candace Wilson grew up in Nevada County. Both graduated from Nevada Union High School and excelled in academics and athletics. In 2012 they were married at the Miner’s Foundry in Nevada City, California. Their son Richard Dean Wilson IV was born in 2013. Their daughter, Norah Marie Wilson was born on November 20, 2015. Days after her birth Norah began experiencing a multitude of health related challenges that were unexplainable by her talented medical team.
On December 5, 2015 Norah Marie Wilson passed away in the arms of her mom and dad. Norah’s short life reminded Richard and Candace of how fragile life is and how much they have to be grateful for. While they were at the hospital with Norah, they built relationships with the staff and other families who were experiencing similar hardships. “As we left the hospital the night Norah died, we went home with a broken heart for two reasons: Norah wasn’t coming home with us, and we knew there was still a hospital full of families and babies who were in the middle of the struggle. We somehow felt a responsibility to those families now,” said Candace Wilson. It became their mission to honor their daughter’s life by being a source of love and hope to the families who wake up everyday hoping for a miracle for their children.
The Norah Foundation was established with the immediate goal of raising money to provide families with hotel vouchers, fuel cards, gift cards to restaurants, and other support to families with a child in a NICU or PICU. Additionally, money raised will provide new toys and books to NICU family waiting rooms. The foundation has raised $30,000 in less than 5 months. In addition, Richard and Candace have been volunteering their time to be the “voice of the patient” at numerous hospitals in the region. “In our journey with Norah, we saw some fantastic work done and we also saw areas in the hospital system that need some immediate attention,” said Richard Wilson. By sharing their story with hospital committees, foundations, and councils they will strive to create a better experience for future families who have to navigate the same tumultuous path.
Volunteers composed of Norah’s great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and family friends run the foundation. However, Norah impacted more lives. Team Norah which was initially established as a support system for Richard, Candace, Richard Dean, and the Tremewan and Wilson family during the 15 days of Norah’s life. The membership of Team Norah has grown to over 900 and includes family, extended family, friends, and co-workers of Richard and Candace. Team Norah spreads love through California, the United States, Canada, Ireland, England, Europe, Africa, and South America. Members from Team Norah donate blood and platelets monthly, volunteer at community events, provide meals to families in need, and buy holiday gifts for children.
On New Year’s Eve of 2016 The Norah Foundation will host Celebrate: a pink tie event with dessert, champagne toast, DJ, dancing, photo booth, and bar. The event will raise awareness and money. Tickets are available and can be purchased through The Norah Foundation website.
The Norah Foundation spreads love and restores hope.