ANN ARBOR, MI - After the sudden death of her husband in 2003, and the tragic loss of her 14-year-old son 18 months later, Yvonne DeVries and her daughter, Dominique, could have easily retreated into a sheltered life consumed with grief and sadness. But instead, they decided keep the memory of their loved ones alive by helping others.

“When there are no more flowers or phone calls, it's amazing how lonely it gets,” says Yvonne, of Brighton, Mich. “After losing half our family in less than two years, Dominique and I had to figure out a way to heal and find happiness. I also didn't want people to forget that Dominique had a great dad and a great brother.”

So the pair created “Max to the Millions,” a fundraising venture named in memory of their son and brother, Max, to benefit premature babies and their families at the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital's Holden Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Both Dominique and her father, George, were born prematurely, and Dominique hopes to one day become a neonatal nurse.

“Neonatal intensive care is not an inexpensive proposition. The equipment and drugs necessary to keep these tiny patients alive are very costly, and the babies need round the clock attention from multiple skilled care providers,” says Steven Donn, M.D., director of the Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at Mott. “ Yet, they represent an investment in the future. Those of us who practice in this specialty know that we not only save lives, we save dreams." And “Max to the Millions” will help Donn and his colleagues at Holden realize those dreams for their patients.

This Friday (Oct. 29), “Max to the Millions” will host “A Night at the Races” for adults from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Oak Pointe Country Club, located at 4500 Brighton Rd. in Brighton.

The event will feature virtual horse racing and a silent auction. Auction packages include Detroit Lions tickets, a boat charter, private fly fishing lessons, ski passes for Mount Brighton, a hair cut and manicure, items from Brighton-area jewelers and much more. Advanced tickets are $50 and include admission to the track, hors d'oeuvres and two free drinks. All proceeds from the event will benefit Mott, and several more events are planned for this year.

“'Max to the Millions' not only gives Dominique and myself a chance to heal, it also gives our friends and family the chance to do the same,” says Yvonne.  “We want to give and to remember while someone else receives a gift of love. That's what our family was all about - giving to others while loving and enjoying each other.”

In November 2002, George DeVries died of a heart attack two days before his and Yvonne's 13th wedding anniversary. Although the family struggled through the holidays, 18 months later they were ready to celebrate their renewed strength as a family by traveling to Aruba.

The family's celebratory vacation, however, was cut tragically short when 14-year-old Max ventured out on a jet ski, and was lost at sea.  He was never found.

Now Yvonne and Dominique, along with many of Max's friends and their families, are working to turn their grief and sadness into happiness for others through “Max to the Millions.”

Beyond benefiting the patients and families at the U-M Holden NICU, “Max to the Millions” is giving Dominique the opportunity to ask others to help someone else, or “pay it forward.”

On March 1, her birthday, Dominique plans to present $1,000 to a baby born on that day at Mott Children's Hospital. Dominique will then ask the child's mother who she would like to help, given the opportunity. Whether it be another child at the hospital, a struggling college student or a single parent in need of some help, Dominique will set out to find that person, whom she will present another $1,000 to on Max's birthday, April 18.

“Dominique has a big heart, and I think this is giving her the opportunity to see what a big difference one person can make in someone's life,” says Yvonne.

To reserve tickets for “A Night at the Races,” call Maureen at 810-225-1474 or Linda at 810-227-3329. For more information about “Max to the Millions,” visit www.maxtothemillions.com.

The Division of Neonatal/Perinatal Medicine at Mott is a specialized, nationally-recognized group of neonatologists who provide care to newborn infants at the Holden Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, one of the most technologically-advanced facilities in the world. To learn more about Holden and its patients, visit www.med.umich.edu/nursing/holden/.

Contact: Krista Hopson

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