Teagen's Breath: family raises money for oxygen container to support others

Getting care on Guam is one thing, but off-island treatment is a challenge many here face. We hear from local musician, Joe Guam, as he shares the heartbreaking story of his son, Teagen. And efforts he's done since his son's passing to help others get the care they need.

"People are telling us about their stories with their kids and same issues, and they're saying God bless you for doing this, it was just it was never a question. This is God's work," said Joe. You might have heard the story of Teagen Michael, who was born to two loving parents, Jackie and Joe Guam..

"A little under two years ago we gave birth to a baby boy a handsome baby boy Teagen Michael, he had some complications in his heart he was born with a blockage in his aorta the found it through an echocardiogram," he explained. "The doctors basically said if he was in the States right now he'd be in the operating room getting open heart surgery to remove the blockage, nobody on Guam had the expertise to do that nor did we have the facility to med-evac him so our option was just to med-evac him."

To make the trip, Teagen needed Oxygen.

Though covered from Guam to Hawaii, a portable oxygen container and batteries to last the flight from Honolulu to the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles would cost $7,000. Teagen never made this flight but Joe and Jackie are grateful GMH gave the family 42 hours with their son.

Though the ultimate goal is not having to med-evac patients off island, in the meantime, through generous community donations, Teagen's Breath hopes to  buy as many portable oxygen containers to save a life. His parents said, "He showed us a new way to love, it's changed our lives, it's changed everybody in our family's life. That little man is powerful, just to see what his memory has done so far, we had a goal of $20,000 to buy as many as possible, but a personal goal of one unit can really help a lot of people every year."

So far, Teagen's Breath met their goal of securing one oxygen container and extra batteries. Working directly with GMH, the oxygen is available to all patients, and will be kept in good condition.

Spreading a message of faith and hope, they said, "A lot of people say we're so strong and inspirational, but really we're just like anybody else we just found strength in our son and strength in our God and our faith."

"We released a lot of the pictures that are very personal and we never shared with a lot of people. It's our story you're not alone - to answer your question what do we want to tell parents and family members dealing with a sick family member you're not alone.

HELP TEAGEN'S BREATH