Frank (the Fighter) Bertrand lives on through parents, foundation

During the summer of 2014, Rachel and Trae Bertrand met with their physician regarding Rachel�s pregnancy with Frank Charles Bertrand V. The news would forever shape their lives � and the lives of many families they had yet to meet.

Baby Frank had a heart defect called tetralogy of fallot, a congenital condition where �oxygen-poor blood� flows from the heart to the rest of the body, according to the Mayo Clinic. Children can live with it though they will require surgeries. In addition to this challenge, Frank had another unrelated issue of a low heart rate that would skyrocket at times.

With these life-threatening conditions, the Bertrands made plans to deliver at Children�s Hospital in St. Louis and Frank would be moved into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

At 34 weeks on Oct. 13 the doctors made the decision to deliver the child by C-section. Frank coded in the delivery room, but came back to life. Losing blood, he received a couple of transfusions.

It did not look good during the first 24 hours, but soon after his health began to stabilize. His parents could see hope ahead as his health improved.

KASSI JACKSON ~ kjackson@semissourian.com Trae and Rachel Bertrand hold a photo of their son Frank Charles Bertrand V at Bertrand Law Firm Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018 in Cape Girardeau.

Rachel stayed at a hotel connected to the hospital. Trae, an attorney in Cape Girardeau, stayed home and cared for the couple�s other three (at the time) children. Trae and the girls made mid-week and weekend visits to see Rachel and Frank.

They were starting to get into a routine � until late Oct. 28 when Trae received a call from St. Louis that Frank�s health took a turn for the worse. At midnight he took off for St. Louis. Once he passed Perryville, a second call was made. The call no parent ever wants to hear: Frank had died.

�By the time he passed away we weren�t expecting it,� Trae said from his law office Tuesday afternoon. �We thought he was certainly getting better and stronger. In fact, they were starting to wean him off some things before he died, which was a sign he was getting better.�

In addition to the emotional grieving, the financial burden was significant. Medical bills topped $1 million. There was travel back and forth to hospitals. Food costs. The list goes on.

The couple received an outpouring of support, including from some who wanted to remain anonymous and paid for Rachel�s hotel bill. The Saint Francis Caring Fund also helped the family with a check that paid for Frank�s funeral.

A few months later, Rachel decided they had to pay the kindness forward. �It was good for me to find meaning and purpose,� she said.

This passion birthed Frank the Fighter Foundation.

The foundation raises about $10,000 each year benefiting 40 to 50 families. Most are from Cape and receive treatment in local NICUs or in St. Louis.

�This is just a way for the foundation to give back to those in similar situations,� Trae said.

The early start of the foundation began with Rachel and a co-worker at Saint Francis Healthcare. The two rallied support for a family with two premature babies.

The support now comes with a generous gift card, check and other items for mom and baby. They include Baby Frank�s photo and his story.

The foundation provides gifts on Mother�s Day and Christmas to parents whose children are in NICUs at Saint Francis and SoutheastHEALTH.

The monetary support doesn�t come with any strings attached. A Target gift card was mentioned as one of the gifts they frequently provide. The notes they receive back from families confirm the efforts are making a difference.

�I get to talk about him,� Rachel said. And when you hear the couple talk about Frank, it�s not in the past tense. Frank � their fourth child. Their four girls know they have a brother. His photo is all around the house.

The foundation is gearing up for its annual fundraiser. Frank�s 4th Birthday Bash Fundraiser will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 22 at Cape County Park North, Shelter No. 8 near Melaina�s Magical Playland. It�s a family-friendly event with food, fun, games and a silent auction. Some of the families who have benefited from the foundation also attend in support of the cause. Tickets can be purchased on the day of the event. Several local businesses provide silent auction items. More information about the fundraiser and ways to support the cause can be found on the Frank the Fighter Facebook page.

The Bertrands are setting an example of faith, hope and love. Baby Frank�s life on earth ended in the physical sense, but what Rachel and Trae are doing to help others is keeping his legacy alive.

�The foundation has helped me in the healing process in that I had to find a way for some �good� to come from the horrific tragedy we experienced,� Rachel said. �The foundation is a way for us to keep Frank�s memory alive and to honor him. It has been good for my heart and soul.�

Much like other families who have championed their own projects or foundations after similar experiences, Rachel and Trae are setting the example for living life with a heart for others. That�s both honorable and inspiring.

Baby Frank would be happy to see the good coming from his short but significant life.

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Shipyard Music Festival next Saturday

The Shipyard music festival is finally here. Next weekend (Saturday, Sept. 22) is the day.

Organized by The Scout, Shipyard will feature seven bands on a 32-foot stage located between the gazebo and courthouse at Iver's Square.

There will be a diverse lineup of music, good food and great fun. Get your tickets online at www.shipyardfest.com.

You can read more about Cape's big outdoor music festival on semissourian.com and later this week in the print edition of the Southeast Missourian.

Lucas Presson is the assistant publisher of the Southeast Missourian.