Our pregnancy with Ryder started off like most pregnancies, full of hope and excitement. We shared in the joys or telling our parents, our families, our friends. From most standpoints, the pregnancy was uneventful. Everything was going according to plan, we were past our due date and ready to be induced on March 22, 2019.

This is where everything changes. Normal was thrown out the window. Shortly before we were to leave for the hospital Anne began bleeding. There was a lot of bleeding. We called 9-1-1 and everything began to spiral out of control. After being taking to the hospital by ambulance, wheeled around the hospital being taken to the wrong location, moved from one room to another...FINALLY, someone was going to check on the baby. Over an hour had passed since we had called emergency reponse.

Ryder's hearbeat was found but it was barely there. Anne was rushed into emergency surgery and I was to wait in the room for what felt like an eternity. Left alone with my thoughts and the relentless ticking of the second hand on the room's clock. Those seconds felt like hours, the subtle tick a sledgehammer hitting me in the gut and stealing the air I was trying to breathe.

I couldn't even tell you how long I waited, how long Anne was in surgery or recovery but at some point a doctor came into the room and told me "Mr. Mendelke, your son was born dead.". That was it. Those were the exact words he used. This is how I found out our baby was a boy. This is how I learned his fate.

I could go on and on about those next several hours, the following few days, weeks, months, and years...

However, these moments, Ryder's final moments would not define his legacy.

Since his passing, Anne and I have worked with multiple organizations over the years and have found an extended family with No Foot Too Small. We have met families with stories similar to ours, as well as those whose stories are wildly different but share the same outcome. Together, with these families we are working to give families better care, better support, and better options. This is what No Foot Too Small is all about.

If you can, please consider donating in Ryder's memory to this wonderful cause as we try change the way the world sees, supports, and copes with pregnancy and infant loss.

We're excited to come together to participate in 2025 Cedar Rapids Angels in the Outfield, a fundraiser supporting No Foot Too Small. Our collective passion for this cause drives us, and we need your support to make a difference! Every donation—big or small—helps us reach our fundraising goal and directly impacts this important cause.

No Foot Too Small (NFTS), founded by Robin and Ryan Boudreau, was inspired by the loss of their son Beau in 2013.  NFTS was born out of a desire to draw awareness to pregnancy loss + infant mortality while encouraging the celebration of angels.  In just ten years, thousands have gathered for the annual events to honor babies who’ve lost their lives too soon.  Initially serving families across Iowa, NFTS is expanding nationwide.  With a mission to serve families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss, NFTS has donated more than $1,000,000 to critical initiatives and celebrated countless angels since its inception. 

Here's how you can help:

• Donate: Contribute whatever you can. Every dollar counts!
• Spread the Word: Share our fundraising page with your friends, family, and social networks. Let’s spread awareness so we can raise more!

Thank you so much for your support! We couldn’t do this without you!