Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Going The Extra Miles

By Pegasus News wire

After following the story of a newborn and his failing heart, and his need for a donor, Nichole Nordeman has written a song for a special edition of her latest release, Brave.

The song "Miles" is available for purchase on Sony Connect and WalMart web retailers and will soon be ready for download on iTunes and MusiChristian.com, with all proceeds going to the family of baby Miles Coulson to help maintain his health.

The story of Miles touched millions across the country last year after a feature story ran in Reader’s Digest. Catching a rare virus while only two-weeks-old, the parents of Miles were told that their son would need a new heart to stay alive. He was then placed on a German heart pump that all had hoped would keep him going as long as possible. Though infant hearts are rare in terms of transplants, it was not long before another young baby boy fell victim to tragedy, and in bittersweet circumstance the loss of his life ended up saving that of baby Miles.

Having met his parents through a friend, the story of Miles is one that award winning singer/songwriter from Dallas found especially heart wrenching as a new mother herself. Nordeman was kept updated on his condition through email sent to friends and family, and she became inspired to write the song “Miles” in his honor, and in honor of the baby who lost his life and the parents who gave Miles their son’s heart.

"So many of my own middle of the night feedings with my son Charlie became an opportunity to sit quietly in a rocking chair and beg God to save this little life," Nordeman said. "I wrote the song about the journey of both moms. We ask ourselves, how is it that one person’s 'thank You' is another person’s 'how could You?' And each day, for all involved, must surely be an hourly exercise in trust and surrender."

Today, baby Miles is doing well, having recently celebrated his first birthday, and shows no sign of rejecting his transplanted heart. For updates on his condition, visit carepages.com (log in: milescoulson - all one word). For more information on becoming an organ donor, go to organdonor.org, organdonor.gov or contact your local hospital.

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