About Us
Our mission began as we spent each and every day that our son was in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) by his bedside. During our three hospital stays with Parker we began to notice that not every child was as fortunate to have their parents with them and not every parent was as fortunate to be by their child’s side while they were in the hospital. The reasons were all different, but after so many days by our son’s side we felt that the parents and children benefited greatly from having an family advocate with them at all times.
While our story isn’t one with a happy ending, we hope that we can carry on Parker’s legacy and help other families be able to spend as much time as possible with their children, while they are in the hospital. Many times decisions are made quickly, so a parent being present is the best possible chance that a family has at helping make the best decision for their child and not leaving everything up to the medical professionals to decide.
Meet the Team
Behind the Parker H. Bainter Foundation is a team bound together by love for Parker, belief in his legacy, and a shared mission to support families when they need it most. From co-founders who lived this journey firsthand to board members who are family friends and godparents, every person here is deeply committed to ensuring families can stay close to their children during hospitalization, without the weight of overwhelming financial strain.
About
Parker H. Bainter
Parker Henry Bainter was born on August 11, 2021 in Santa Monica, CA to Lindsey Hartsough and Zachary Bainter.
Parker was the sweetest boy who loved holding hands, his green “chup” (pacifier), wearing tie-dye, and raising his eyebrows with a gummy smile that lit up his face. He fought hard to grow, being born at 4 pounds, 6 ounces. Parker was a true warrior, small but mighty. He endured four different hospital stays totaling 75 days.
Parker spent what would be, his final 30 days of life, at home on hospice care. During his time at home it was his parent’s mission to enjoy every day to the fullest. He took neighborhood walks with his pups and his grandparents, he went to the beach, he took a nightly bubble bath, participated in numerous photo shoots, spent time in his backyard enjoying the sunshine and donning his cool sunglasses, celebrated his 5 month birthday with a cake and read all of his favorite books and sang his favorite songs.
Due to many health complications that could not be cured, Parker passed away in the arms of his loving parents on February 6th, 2022, just five days shy of his 6-month birthday.
Impact Statements
See the impact Parker’s legacy has made.
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the incredible support you gave my family while our baby boy was in the ICU. My son has been through so much. He spent months in the hospital fighting for his life, and there were days I didn’t know how we would get through. Thankfully my little fighter was saved with a heart transplant.
Your generosity came at a time when the weight on my shoulders felt so heavy. Because of you, I was able to focus on holding my son’s hand, comforting him through procedures, and celebrating each tiny victory instead of worrying about how I would manage everything else.
Your kindness is more than just a gift, it’s a reminder that there are people who care deeply, even for families they’ve never met. I will never forget the way your help lightened my load during the darkest season of my life.
Thank you for giving me the chance to be fully present for my little fighter. Your compassion will stay with me forever.
With all my gratitude and love,
Mariel, David and David Jr.
On behalf of my son Braylon, I truly thank you for helping us financially during the toughest time of our life. Braylon is now 6 months as of yesterday and has spent his whole little life in the hospital yet to come home. We are praying every day for his recovery through his multiple surgeries. And the stress of not being able to work and stay financially stable has made things harder. And this money your foundation has sent is going to help us stay afloat and relieve a huge amount of stress. Thank you so very much for your generosity! It has helped save our lives in so many ways.
-Braylon’s Dad
She has been in our PICU since July and family is from Hawaii. Mom, has been with Grace at the bedside while the rest of the family is in Hawaii. At this time, the team is unsure of when she’ll transfer back; the team is still deciding whether she will receive her cardiac surgery here or when she heads back. Mom is asking for financial assistance with the cost of lodging and meals while she’s here. We appreciate everything this foundation has done for all our families!
