The John D. Gomke Charity, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was created in John Donald Gomke’s honor by John’s parents Steve and Jessica Gomke after John became an angel on January 6, 2010, at only 33 days old.
Three days earlier, on John’s 1-month birthday, during the ride home from the store, John stopped breathing. Terrified, John’s dad instantly started CPR from what he remembered learning years before.
A neighbor came and applied chest compressions. Though John never woke up the immediate response gave John’s family three more days with him in their arms.
After learning firsthand the heartache and crushing pain that makes you unable to breathe, shattering a parent’s world with the loss of a child; John’s parents want to help sick infants and the families who have lost an infant while they are going through this shocking and agonizing time. So they started this charity.
CPR Awareness: John’s Charity is holding free CPR & 1st Aid classes. These classes are open to the public and train participants in Adult, Child, and infant CPR, 1st Aid, and AED. The classes emphases on children & infants.
Keepsakes: During John‘s 8 days in the NICU & 3 days in the Pediatric ICU (PICU) there were several things that helped comfort John’s family. John got a plush puppy that stayed with John during his entire stay in the PICU.
John had never been alone so it helped knowing his puppy stayed with him when he had to leave his parents’ arms. John’s parents also made molds of his tiny hands and feet, along with a booklet full of ink prints. John’s Charity wants to make sure all parents get these opportunities and keepsakes.
John’s Charity will work with hospitals, support groups, and other organizations to help families get through this painful time.
Whether you are a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or have a special child in your life you can imagine what a difference this could make in the life of another child and family!
Learn more at JohnDGomkeCharity.org !