Hello! We’re Danielle and Tyson: Dax’s mom and dad [and Bodie’s, too]. When Dax was born, our world changed forever. We were suddenly navigating a medical system that felt impossibly complex, deeply fragmented, and incredibly isolating. We quickly realized how broken the system can be, and how hard it is for parents to find the right information and support at the exact moment they need it most.

The Dax Blattner Foundation exists to connect NICU families and families of children in the rare disease community with the right resources at the right time, and to ensure no parent ever feels like they’re walking this path alone. Everything we do is rooted in real-life experience: we remember scrambling at the last minute trying to figure out where to hang Command hooks for Dax’s feeding pump, making sure we had enough clothing without zippers or stubborn snaps to easily feed Dax via g-tube, and we came home with a serious stack of documents and forms to fill out.

Our mission is to empower parents with the knowledge, support, and tools they need to show up fully for their child. We believe it starts by helping families navigate the transition from the NICU to home and providing support in the beginning of a rare disease journey, making this critical time as smooth and stress-free as possible.    

Support can look like:

Organizing medical information—helping sort documents, understand resources, and help identify what your child may qualify for.

Preparing your home for your baby’s needs—from finding the right clothing and baby supplies (such as a bassinet that accommodates medical devices or safe ways to hang a feeding pump), to organizing medical supplies in a way that supports your daily routine, and ensuring the space is clean, comfortable, and truly ready for their arrival.

Providing assistance in the early days at home—covering meals during those first days after leaving the hospital, as you adjust to new routines and around-the-clock care.

Coordinating reliable pet care—matching you with trusted, carefully selected pet-care providers while you’re in the hospital.

Providing wellness support and practical outlets for stress relief—such as gym memberships and spa visits—alongside mission-aligned counseling and therapeutic resources. Our goal is to help parents recharge and care for themselves so they can fully and effectively advocate for their child. We support mothers and caregivers in their emotional well-being by connecting them to trusted referral counseling services for motherhood and parenting, postpartum support, anxiety and depression, boundaries and relationships, pregnancy loss, grief, and healthy coping skills. Our hope is that these connections help parents feel supported, strengthened, and empowered.

Parenting through complex seasons requires strength, patience, emotional stability, and endurance. With the right support, parents are better equipped to navigate the journey with clarity and to advocate with confidence. When everything feels overwhelming, we’re here to remind you that you’re not alone—and to walk with you every step of the way.

Real people. Real parents.With a really special son, Dax.