Gavin Wilson Ream

Gavin is survived by his loving parents Victoria and Christopher, brother Bryan, grandparents Elaine Mekelburg, Mark Ream, Daniel Rogowski, great grandmothers Nancy Conn, Devah Brinker, aunts Abriee Rogowski, Ashley Martin, uncle Mark Wilson Ream Jr., and many other family and friends.

Gavin was born with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) which occurs when the diaphram fails to fully form, allowing abdominal organs to move into the chest cavity and preventing the lungs from having enough room to grow. CDH occurs in 1 in every 2500 babies born, which equals 1600 babies in the U.S. every year and over half a half million babies around the world since 2000. Every 10 minutes a baby is born with CDH.

Babies born with CDH undergo many surgeries and long hospitalizations. Fifty percent of babies born with CDH do not survive. The cause of this disease is not known.

At CHERUBS, we are working hard to change the lack of awareness through the Save the Cherubs CDH Awareness Campaign, by participating in annual April 19th celebrations of the International Day of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness, marching in the Parades of Cherubs, offering free graphics and personalized ribbons and much more.

Because of this condition, Gavin was put on ECMO three hours after he was born. ECMO works as life support for his heart and lungs. The ECMO also has blood thinners in it because ECMO can cause blood clots. Because of the blood thinners Gavin ended up with bleeding in his brain.

A visitation will be held at 10:00 am with a funeral service at 11:00 am on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at Chapel of the Chimes Mortuary, 7924 N. 59th Ave. Glendale, Arizona. Interment will follow at Resthaven Park Cemetery.