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QUINCY, IL -- A Quincy mother is turning her personal tragedy and heartbreak from happening to another family.

Tiffany Frericks gave birth last November to a boy she and her husband named, Cadan Christopher.

But during her 23rd week of pregnancy, Tiffany learned that Cadan would be born with a birth defect known as congenital diaphragmatic hernia or CDH.

That happens when the diaphragm does not form completely, creating a hole in the muscle between the chest and the abdomen.

KHQA's Rajah Maples visited with Tiffany to find out how she and Cadan's story are making a difference in future lives and their families.

After Cadan was born, he was given a 60 percent chance of making it, but his tiny body wasn't able to pull through. Cadan passed away from CDH 12 days after he was born. A loss not only for Tiffany and her husband but also Cadan's 3-year-old little brother Reese.

Frericks says, "We were asking for more concrete answers, but they can't tell you that with this diagnosis, which is part of what's so frustrating."

Now Tiffany is using Cadan's story to raise awareness about the birth defect. Last week, the Frericks along with other parents who've lost their babies to CDH presented a $16,000 check to Cadan's physician at St. Louis Children's Hospital where Cadan spent his last days.

Tiffany says doctors told her there was nothing more they could do for Cadan. But she says there is a lot all of us can do to help raise awareness and money for CDH research. The doctor who cared for Cadan Christopher Frericks is in the process of raising money for CDH research at St. Louis Children's Hospital.

If you'd like to donate, the address is:

St. Louis Children's Hospital Hospital Foundation
Attn: Julie Reinke, CDH Research
One Children's Place
St Louis, MO 63110