The Mackhayley Foundation was established by my wife and I in memory of our two daughters, Mackenzie Rae and Hayley Grace, whom we tragically lost after they were born.  Mackenzie passed away in April of 2003 and Hayley in June of 2004.  Mackenzie was born April 14, 2003, when an unexpected event took place, and after six hours of struggles, I held Mackenzie in my arms at the Children’s Hospital NICU of OSF Hospital in Peoria, IL as she took her last breath and life escaped her beautiful little body. 

Six months after Mackenzie was born we were pregnant again, this time with twins.  We discovered about 5 months into the pregnancy that one of the babies was sick.  Not caring what the medical condition was, we were ready to love both of them with every ounce of our beings.  The time had come, and on June 7, 2004, Peyton Daniel and Hayley Grace Cheek were born in Peoria, IL.  Three days after Hayley was born, we had to make the decision to take her off of life support.  That night with just Peyton, Kim, and myself in the room, we held our beautiful daughter for the first time without any tubes, monitors, or ventilator.  There on that night, another beautiful baby girl took her last breath while we were holding her in our arms. 

The memories that we have of our two special girls will never be forgotten, and with everyday that Peyton grows, you can see his two sisters pushing him along and watching over him.  The love that our family shares is one that will never be broken, and it is with this love that we have established this foundation.  If we can help even one family or help to save one baby with the Mackhayley Foundation, then we will know that our girls’ spirits will live on forever. 

- Todd Cheek, co-founder