Foundation to rally for Abbey Rose at ballgame

Editor's note: Established in 2013, the Abbey Rose Foundation has supported hundreds of families nationwide who have unexpectedly lost a young child. The Huron-based foundation honors Abbey Rose Kudrin, who passed away in 2011. She was 4 months old. The foundation is hosting an upcoming event. HURON — On a warm evening at the ballpark, where families gather and memories are made, some stories carry a deeper meaning. This season, as we come together to celebrate baseball, we also honor the life and legacy of a little girl whose impact continues to ripple far beyond her short time here: Abbey Rose Kudrin. Who Abbey was Abbey was the beloved daughter of Sam and Suzi Kudrin, of Huron, whose own love story began at Bethany College. What started as a whirlwind romance quickly turned into a lifelong commitment with Sam proposing in 2007 and the couple marrying on July 11, 2009. Just eight months later, they were surprised and soon overjoyed to learn they were expecting their first child. On Nov. 18, 2010, Abbey Rose entered the world at 6:38 a.m. — a perfect baby girl weighing 6 pounds, 10 ounces with a full head of dark hair. She brought immediate joy not only to her parents but to a wide circle of family, friends and even hospital staff who couldn't get enough of her. Abbey was calm, content and full of quiet wonder. She slept through the night early, rarely cried and had a special love for Christmas lights that lit up her room long after the holidays ended. But on April 7, 2011, everything changed. After being put down for a nap, Abbey never woke up. She was rushed to Southwest General Hospital in Middleburg Heights and later transferred to UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital in Cleveland where doctors and nurses worked tirelessly to save her. Despite moments of hope, Abbey had suffered irreversible brain damage. On April 8, surrounded by her parents' love, songs and prayers, Abbey passed away in their arms. A purpose for their plan Though her life lasted only four months, Abbey's impact has been profound. In the face of unimaginable grief, Sam and Suzi chose to turn their pain into purpose. They founded the Abbey Rose Foundation, dedicating their lives to supporting families who have experienced the loss of a child. One of their most meaningful efforts is sending the book, "Mommy Please Don't Cry ... There Are No Tears In Heaven" along with personal letters of encouragement to grieving families across the U.S and Canada. What began as a small act of kindness has grown into a powerful ministry of comfort. The foundation also supports families in practical ways • Donating clothing to hospitals, like Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, for children who have passed away • Sponsoring babysitting courses for teens • Helping families during the toughest time of their lives by donating to funeral costs or just listening when they need to talk Most recently, the Abbey Rose Foundation has donated CuddleCots to multiple hospitals. The CuddleCot is a unique temperature-controlled cooling system that slows natural changes and allows parents to hold, cuddle and spend meaningful time with their baby after death. Today, Sam and Suzi, who reside in Huron, are also the proud parents of four daughters — Olivia, Zoey, Elena, and Izzey — and continue to live out their mission: to be a bridge connecting pain to comfort through faith and compassion. Want to go? This upcoming baseball game is more than just a night of competition: It's a chance to come together as a community. As you cheer from the stands, enjoy the crack of the bat and share laughter with loved ones, you're also helping carry forward Abbey's legacy. Events like this remind us of the importance of family, resilience and supporting one another through life's highs and lows. So bring your family, invite your friends and join us at the ballpark on July 18 at ForeFront Stadium to cheer on the Lake Erie Crushers. Celebrate the game, celebrate community and, most importantly, celebrate a life that continues to inspire hope. Tickets are $15 each with children 2 and under free. There will be $1 hot dogs and fireworks following the game. You can purchase your tickets as well as a T-shirt, specifically designed by Abbey's cousin, by going to the website, abbeyrosekudrin.com, and finding the baseball game under the "events" tab. Our section is conveniently located near the Kid Zone, featuring inflatable slides and fun activities for children. It's a wonderful experience to share with family and friends as we come together to honor a very special little girl. Sometimes the most powerful stories aren't told over nine innings but in the hearts they forever change. For further information about the baseball game or about the Abbey Rose Foundation,visit the foundation's website, follow its Facebook page and/or or email at abbeyrosefoundation@gmail.com.