The East Grand Forks Eagles Club and the surrounding community are teaming up this week to help a young family with medical bills from the premature birth of their triplets.
When Jeremy and Cassie Olson learned they would be having children, nothing seemed out of the ordinary for the first few months. When they learned they would have triplets, Cassie started calling the trio “Team Olson.”
“It just kind of stuck,” she said.
When the babies were born three months early, friends and family joined together to help the couple, and Team Olson took on a new meaning.
The latest boost for the Olsons will be at the Eagle’s Club, 227 10th St. N.W. in East Grand Forks, from 5:30-9 p.m. Friday.
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The North Dakota Association for the Disabled is a sponsor for the fundraiser. The event includes a benefit silent auction, a meal, entertainment and fresh baked goods. Free will offerings will be accepted.
“It’s been unbelievable,” said Cassie, referring to the fundraising help they have received since the triplets’ birth.
Carter, Cole, and Cora Olson were born May 31, months before their original Sept. 3 due date.
“We’ve been blessed,” Jeremy’s father Al Olson said, reflecting on the health problems with the babies, problems he said are common for premature births.
“Carter had to have heart surgery and Cole had heart surgery. Carter had a heart murmur and the boys, Cole and Carter, have had thyroid issues,” Al said. “They’ve all had eye problems, general for preemies.”
After the births, Cassie stayed in Eden Prairie as the triplets weren’t discharged from the hospital in Minneapolis until September. Al said that Jeremy, who came back to the area for work, made trips every weekend to see them and that the whole period of time was spent in back-and-forth travel.
Jeremy and Cassie have been married for three years. They began building a new house in East Grand Forks a year ago. They moved there in March, not long before Cassie was admitted to the hospital.
“They’re getting settled in now. My wife and one of her sisters have been staying with them,” Al said.
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Despite their health problems, the triplets have been eating regularly and their latest weigh-in shows progress.
“Cora is 8.7, Cole 8 and Carter 8.1,” Cassie posted on their CaringBridge website Oct. 8.
All the proceeds from Friday’s benefit, as well as donations given through NDAD and CaringBridge, will go to cover the family’s medical and general expenses.
Anyone who wishes to contribute can donate online at ndad.org/fundraisers.asp . Click the link next to the article, or mail to: NDAD, care of Team Olson Fundraiser, 2660 S. Columbia Road, Grand Forks, ND 58201. Checks should be made payable to NDAD, with “Team Olson” in the check’s memo line.
“We’ll get through the problems, but they’re happy. I thank all the friends and relatives for all their prayers and support,” Al said.
