Many people on Delmarva know the story of Alana Rose Prettyman.

She was born in September 2014, but her life was cut short. In December 2015, she lost her battle to a rare mitochondrial disease. Since losing their baby girl, Alexa Shoultes and Kyle Prettyman have vowed to make a difference in the lives of families going through similar situations.

Alexa stopped by Historic Studio D to share some exciting news with us. The couple is expecting! Alexa is 31 weeks pregnant with her “rainbow baby.” They are choosing to keep the sex of the baby a surprise.

“Our rainbow baby was a surprise and a blessing, and we want the surprise on the day it’s born,” Alexa says.

Their “rainbow baby” is a carrier and has Kyle’s mutation. Kyle and Alexa are both carriers, but because their baby does not have both of their mutations, the baby does not have the same terminal illness as Alana.

In honor of Alana, Alexa and Kyle started the Alana Rose Foundation. The foundation’s goal is to help other families who may be dealing with similar situations as they dealt with.

During their time at the hospital with Alana. Kyle and Alexa noticed there were many children battling life threatening illnesses, but their parents weren’t there. Alexa says it was because many of the parents had to return to work to keep their job or to keep the electric on in their home, so they were not able to stay at the hospital with their sick child.

The foundation helps provide financial relief up to $1,000.00 to help families with rent, traveling expenses, or any financial need that social workers at A.I. duPont Hospital for Children note that certain families need. To date, Alexa says they have helped 76 families with over $26,000.00.

To learn more about The Alana Rose Foundation, go here.

There is an upcoming golf tournament on June 8 with registration starting at 11 am and the event starting at 12:30 pm at Cripple Creek Golf and Country Club in Dagsboro. Dinner will be served at 5:30 pm by Hooked Restaurant Group. Proceeds from the Second Annual Hitting Fairways for Families event will go to the Alana Rose Foundation to help families with any financial burdens they may be dealing with while their children are in the hospital.