Karter K 5K Walk/Run

5k Walk/Run to be held on Saturday, October 14th, 2023 at 8am at Bob Mays Park, Bill Klingner Trail in Quincy, IL. 

Medals awarded to the top runners of each age group. Deadline to sign up is Monday, Sept 25th. 

Link to sign up: https://stores.shirtshack.us/karter_k_5k_2023/shop/home

Welcome to the Karter K Fund Website. First I want to introduce my family. Hi, my name is Bridget Kennington. My husband, Levi, and I currently reside in Quincy, IL with our son, Kalvin, and daughters, Kennedy and Kora. 

On August 16th 2021 my husband and I suffered the tremendous loss of having a stillborn baby. This was s very unexpected loss as we originally thought that  I was just having some pain and would be sent home the following day. However fast forward to 5 days in the hospital and having to make the ultimate decision to deliver as my body was quickly deteriorating. I ended up being diagnosed with HELLP syndrome. I am considered a somewhat rare case as I have had two amazing deliveries and two healthy babies. With HELLP syndrome most patients also have extremely high blood pressure and my blood pressure was in normal range the entire time. 

Karter Joseph Kennington was stillborn on August 16th, 2021 which also happened to be my birthday.

Fast forward to a couple of months later. My family and I were trying to figure out our new "normal" as we were prepared for baby #3 we started receiving medical bills. Talk about tough, dang that was tough. Normally when you start to receive those type of medical bills you also have a baby in your arms and we didn't. Life felt so unfair in that moment. Instead of feeling the pain/grief I took a stance and wanted to keep Karter's name alive and be able to assist others. 

I have partnered with the Blessing Hospital Foundation and have created the Karter K Fund. On average Blessing Hospital OB department has about 12 stillbirths a year. This fund will help those who suffer a stillbirth at Blessing Hospital with their medical expense. 

Starting this fund has brought so much joy to my family's heart. Not only do we get to continue to keep Karter's name alive but we also get to help others with the pain and grief that my family has suffered. 

As of August 2023 we have been able to help assist 2 families who have experienced still births at Blessing Hospital. 

Donations to the Karter K Fund are being accepted on https://blessinghealth.org/giving. 

Follow these simple steps:

1. In the “I would like to make a donation to” field select Blessing Hospital Funds 

2.In the “Blessing Hospital Choices” field select Karter K Fund

3. Skip to and complete the donor/donation information

4. Click “submit” button