Cara's Kegger 2022

Meet Cara

Cara's Kegger is a day of celebration for our family

It is a day to raise awareness for Roger Neilson House. For those who are willing and able, please consider giving in Cara’s name to support their mission to meet the unique palliative care needs of newborns, children, youth, and their families. 

It is a day to have fun -- by partaking in a number of outdoor yard games, testing your luck to win some great prizes, or by enjoying conversations with other guests and beverages brewed by our friends at Whitewater, for our friends. 

We will be starting the day at Noon -- lunch and beverages are provided.

It is a day to reflect -- be kind to yourselves and each other. The past few years have been challenging. We don’t always know what family, friends, and colleagues are faced with. Ask how someone is doing, offer help, or just be there.

It is a day to remember Cara. She was not on this Earth long with us, but left an imprint that will last forever on our family. We miss her smiles, her cooing, and her determination. Cara’s Kegger is a day to celebrate her life. 

With the generosity of family and friends, we were able to raise over $3,000 in Cara’s first year -- our goal is to raise $5,000 in her second year since joining our family. Please help us meet our goal and support Roger Nielson House in Cara’s memory.

*** All donations made through this page will automatically get a tax receipt emailed to them ***

Cara's Story

Cara Danielle Michaela passed peacefully in the arms of her Mom and Dad on February 19, 2021. She was born at 4:31 a.m. and joined her Great Uncle Blair, Great Uncle Jeff, Grandma Judy, Great Grandpa Kelly, and Great Gumpa Holden in Heaven shortly after 5:00 p.m. the same day.

Cara was the daughter of Michael and Julie Kelly.

She is survived by three siblings, Blair, Holden, and Jovie.

Her grandparents are Jeff and Christine Blimkie (Grandpa and Grams), James Kelly Jr. (Big Poppa), and Scott and Neta Leonard (Gramps and Nana).

Cara received a diagnosis of Trisomy 18 before she was born. The odds were against us having time with her -- but Cara was determined to prove everyone wrong -- and she did. We feel blessed to have been able to enjoy time with her.

In just over twelve hours -- she listened to stories about how her parents met, learned about her family history, and told a few stories of her own. She decided on her career path, was baptized and confirmed, and met all of her siblings and grandparents. She also met and felt the love of great grandparents, aunts and uncles, great aunts and uncles, cousins, extended family and friends through calls and messages. Cara saved her last three hours for some special time spent with just her Mom and Dad.  

She felt the kindness of doctors, nurses, staff, and volunteers at Roger Neilson House and the Ottawa Hospital who helped us meet Cara, enjoy our time with her, and capture many memories -- against all odds. 

Cara is now in the good hands of God and our loved ones in Heaven. She will live on in our family -- through prayers and thoughts, pictures and memories, celebrations of her life, a memorial in the Swiss Alps overlooking the Jungfrau -- and in so many more ways.

The Roger Neilson House provided our family with overwhelming support before, during, and after Cara’s short life with us. To help us honour Cara's memory, we would be pleased to have you support their mission to meet the unique palliative care needs of newborns, children, youth, and their families.