Hello, my name is Tristan Denkmann. I was born extremely premature and Childrens hospital is the reason why I am alive today.  My twin brother, Asher, and I are 28 week and one day gestation preemies. I was the smaller of the two of us, only weighing in at 2 pounds and 10 ounces.  When my mom went into labor, Children’s gathered a team of 7 people for each of us to be ready to save our lives the moment we were born.  Each team was made up of doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists. The team stabilized us as we couldn’t breathe without assisting oxygen.  My brother and I shared an isolette as we were immediately rushed away from Abbott hospital to Children’s Minneapolis Hospital through the connecting tunnel.  I required oxygen for months and for one week was placed on a paralytic and jet ventilator because my lung had collapsed.  I was kept in a closed isolette to keep my body temperature regulated until I was big enough to do that on my own.  I stayed in the NICU for 4 weeks then transitioned to the ICC for 7 weeks.  That was a total stay of 11 weeks in the hospital before I could actually come home. I'm told a lot by my family that the whole experience was terrifying for them as they had to wait, wondering if my brother and I would be alright. In the 3 months I was in the hospital, the doctors, nurses and therapists at Children’s took care of me when my parents couldn’t be there. I owe the doctors and nurses at Children’s hospital my life.  I am thankful every day that I don’t have any long-term affects of my prematurity and that I am alive 15 years later to share my story.  What Children’s hospital does for families, children and babies is truly incredible. The work they do is very important and it will help other kids just like me. I am very happy to be raising funds for the neuroscience unit this year. Please consider donating to this awesome hospital.