I am Liam Nelson’s grandmother, Kathy McCaffery. Liam was born prematurely at a hospital in Ventura County while we were still very much in the middle of the pandemic, restricting our ability to be at the hospital. He was airlifted to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles a few days after his birth. The care Liam received at CHLA was extremely well-coordinated by caring and capable doctors and staff. The Child Life Team also stepped in to help my daughter and son-in-law cope at a very heart-wrenching time. The pandemic limited hospital visitors, but an exception was made so that my husband Jim and I (along with the paternal grandparents) could meet Liam, be there for his Baptism, and to say goodbye to our tiny grandson. I observed first-hand the time, effort, and emotional support the staff gave to their patients. Father Timothy Meier, a Jesuit Priest, supported our family through a very trying, emotional time in our lives. He was caring chaplain and knew what to say to help all of us.
Liam passed away later that day, and when I got home, I started thinking about the love and care all of these people put into their jobs. I’m sure many nights they go home and cry and pray for the patients. I wanted to show our appreciation to them and give something back. We were already involved as members of CCF-LA’s Development Committee and we had previously set up a fund to help with teacher’s expenses in the classrooms at Serra High School and another fund at our parish, St. Julie Billiart in response to the Called To Renew Campaign. But this was more personal. We decided to set up the Liam Nelson Memorial Fund to benefit CHLA.
