For the Trettin family and countless others at Masonic Children’s Hospital, it’s the little things

The Trettin family often calls Minneapolis and M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital their second home. It’s a testament to the amount of time they’ve spent there for Jace’s treatments.

But over the years, with the help of a variety of programs for patients and their families, they’ve actually started to feel at home, too.

Brightening days at the hospital

Jace lives with multiple rare genetic conditions that affect his immune system. Along with surgeries and specialist appointments, he undergoes regular infusions of immunoglobulins – or antibodies − at Masonic Children’s Hospital. The Trettin family, who travel from northern Wisconsin to Minneapolis for Jace’s treatments, spend weeks out of every year at the hospital or staying nearby.

All that time away from home can be stressful not only for Jace, but his brother Jaxon.

Still, certain things brighten the boys’ days, their mom Brooke said. One of the highlights of their time there is playing in the Kyle Rudolph End Zone.

First opened in 2017, the Kyle Rudolph End Zone is a 2,500-square-foot therapeutic play space for patients and their families. It’s one of the investments Masonic Children’s Hospital has been able to make with the help of sponsors like Cub.

“It’s a way for them to connect and not feel like they’re really in a hospital setting,” Brooke said.

“Just the smiles and the attitudes that you see from patients when you go into that space, you can tell that it’s refreshing for them.”

Outside of the hospital, the Trettin family has participated in everything from Gopher athletic events to parents’ nights put on by the TB1 Fund, another Cub partner.

“Without a doubt, TB1 Fund has provided the most inclusive activities for our family,” Brooke said. “It’s just a really good reminder that life is bigger than what your focus is sometimes, and being allowed to have those opportunities is just really special.”

Support for the little things 

For Brooke, some of the most meaningful support her family receives during their stays comes from meals at the hospital sponsored by Cub.

“Just the financial impacts of having a medically complex child are outrageous,” Brooke explained. “So we’re just super thankful for that support.”

The meals, along with other events for patients and families at Masonic Children’s Hospital, help boost morale and support mental health. And that kind of programming can ultimately lead to better outcomes for patients, said Dr. Sameer Gupta, the hospital’s Chief Medical Officer.

“It might not seem like much, providing some food and a little event in the lobby, but it’s a treatment for their souls and for their mental health,” Dr. Gupta said.

Today, Cub is approaching the $1 million mark for money raised for Masonic Children’s Hospital.

“We’re super thankful for everything that Ronald McDonald House provides for our family, and without it, I honestly don’t know where we would be or what we would do,” Brooke said.

Becoming a part of the team

Cub is also a supporter of the Row the Boat Fleck Family Fund, which was created by Gopher Football Coach PJ Fleck and his wife Heather to give back to Masonic Children’s Hospital and families like the Trettins through programming and financial support.

More than just a chant used by fans at football games, Row the Boat has come to represent a powerful partnership between Gopher Athletics and Masonic Children’s Hospital.

During their time at Masonic Children’s Hospital, Jace, Jaxon and their parents have attended football games and met Coach Fleck and the players.

The partnership has given Jace and Jaxon a chance to be a part of their favorite team.