Following the birth of their son, Marc and Karla Haug of West Fargo were like most new parents — a little tired, but mostly filled with joy, gratitude and anticipation for all the moments and milestones ahead. But within hours, their joy had turned to fear, uncertainty and heartbreak after their baby boy, Jacob, suffered a rare, life-threatening condition. Six months later, their hearts broke again as Jacob faced another devastating diagnosis — one that would forever alter the course of his life while further testing this family’s faith and fortitude.
For the Haug family, Jacob’s health journey has been emotional and complex. But thanks to Sanford Children’s Hospital, they’ve found strength and resilience for the road ahead.
Today, as the 2025 North Dakota Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champion for Sanford Children’s in Fargo, Jacob and his family are sharing their incredible story — a testament to love, perseverance and the life-changing power of compassion and care found inside the walls of Sanford Children’s Hospital.
For Jacob and his parents, it’s a chance to help raise awareness and inspire support for a place that, they say, has become a sanctuary of hope, healing and support during some of life’s darkest moments.
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Sanford Children’s has been a godsend. I don’t know what we would’ve done without them.
Jacob’s Father
Jacob’s Story
Jacob’s delivery in 2012 went smoothly but, shortly after his birth, he was taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Sanford Children’s Hospital so caregivers could closely monitor some respiratory concerns.
Hours later, NICU staff observed Jacob experiencing seizure-like symptoms, including rapid eye blinking. Pediatric experts from multiple specialties quickly went to work to determine what was happening.
Further tests revealed the heartbreaking news: Jacob had suffered a massive right cerebral artery stroke. Thanks to world-class pediatric care and lifesaving equipment fueled by philanthropy, Jacob survived, however the stroke caused significant damage.
“Jacob suffered his stroke on the right side of his brain, which meant the left side of his body was affected,” Karla said.
The situation was “like a punch to the gut,” Mark recalled.
“It was absolutely awful. We cried together. We cried hard. It was a tough day. It was tough to hear. There was a lot of unknowns,” he said.
Putting their emotions aside, the couple made a decision for how they would navigate the road ahead.
“Marc and I looked at each other and said, ‘This our son, and we’re going give him the best life we possibly can,’” Karla recalled. “We just knew at that point — if it meant therapies, or whatever else it would take — we would try to give him the best life he could have. And that’s really kind of been our philosophy with Jacob from day one.”
“Thanks to Sanford Children’s, we’ve been able to get great services close to home,” she said.
A Second Heart Break
After spending 14 days in the NICU, Jacob was allowed to go home. He continued to take seizure medication and began a regimen of physical and occupational therapy to help address the lasting effects of his stroke.
Progress was steady for about six months. Then, Jacob began experiencing a series of more intense seizures.
He was eventually diagnosed with Infantile Spasms, a severe form of epilepsy that can cause seizures, developmental regression and long-term neurological effects.
It was another devastating blow to the family who had already been through so much. But thanks to support from Sanford Children’s, they found the care and support they needed to move forward.
“Jacob’s condition has pulled us together. We all rally behind him. We share in his triumphs, and we share in his not-so-great moments as well,” Marc said.
Moving Forward
Today at 12-years-old, Jacob is living beyond the limits of his health conditions thanks to ongoing care from Sanford Children’s, including programs and services fueled by philanthropy.
He continues to take medication to prevent seizures and is admitted to Sanford Children’s Hospital once each year for EEG testing and medication management. He works with behavioral health therapists to help manage emotions and anxiety related to his conditions, and he also receives regular Botox treatments to help relax his muscles, making it easier to move.
Botox treatments aren’t easy for kids, which is why Karla is grateful for a program made possible through Children’s Miracle Network that provides nitrous oxide for pediatric Botox patients. The nitrous oxide helps Jacob relax, making the injection process more comfortable.
Child Life Specialists also assist Jacob during his procedures, Karla said, easing his fear and anxiety through education and therapeutic play.
A Fearless Spirit
Despite all he’s had to endure in his young life, Jacob never stops radiating positivity. His parents say his spirit and optimism make an impact on everyone he meets.
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He has these big brown eyes and he’s just a neat kid to hang out with. He certainly has had problems and difficulties in life, but he seems to persevere through all that and it doesn’t get him down. He just rolls with the punches.
Jacob’s Mother
“We encourage Jacob to live — and to live outside of a bubble,” Marc said. “I’m proud of the fact that he’s fearless. He’s not afraid to try things; in fact, he’s eager to try things. He’s taught us so much about perspective. So much of what people can get upset over is really just inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.”
Reflecting on their son’s life, Marc and Karla both say having world-class pediatric care near home has made his health care journey easier.
“Managing Jacob’s needs is very time consuming. In his 12 years of life, he’s had over 1,300 encounters within the Sanford Health system,” Karla said. “It’s two therapies every week, doctor appointments, behavioral health appointments and more. For us, Sanford Children’s means being able to get these great services close to home.”
“We just feel very thankful for all of the support that he’s had,” she said.
Give for Hopeful, Healthy Futures
Each year, thousands of local kids like Jacob turn to Sanford Children’s Hospital in Fargo for extra or unexpected care.
With your support, we can give every child the healthy future they deserve. When you give for Sanford Children’s, 100% of every dollar is maximized to its fullest potential — to help kids like Jacob reach theirs. Gifts support priorities like:
- Child Life, the school program, our facility dog program and other services that are never billed to patients’ families
- Financial assistance to help families with the costs of meals, lodging and travel while their child is in the hospital
- Lifesaving pediatric equipment like ventilators, ultrasound machines and Giraffe OmniBeds, which mimic a mother’s womb for NICU infants
- And so much more!
With your support, we can continue to fuel health, healing and hope for kids each year at Sanford Children’s Hospital in Fargo, the state’s only member hospital of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.