Courtesy of the Cason family
Brandon and I are thrilled to be the first “couple” to co-chair Fourth Annual Baby Shower Luncheon benefiting Hand to Hold. We have worked all year with such fabulous volunteers who all have the same mission in mind: help raise money for Hand to Hold, so more NICU and bereaved families can receive the support they need.
We did not realize just how much support we would need when our identical twin boys arrived ten weeks early. We had a very difficult pregnancy and had been told that one twin would likely not survive. His placenta was failing, and he was receiving no nutrients. I went into labor, was put to sleep and when I woke up, I had no idea if my babies were alive. I had delivered a 1 lb, 12 oz baby and a 3 lb, 5 oz baby.
The next three months in the NICU would prove to be challenging, of course, and so emotional. But I was also overcome with joy that both of my babies were alive. We went through many scares, blood transfusions, and surgeries. I can’t tell you how many 3:00 am calls we got from the NICU notifying us of a terrifying ordeal that had just occurred with our boys.
Parents desperately need a place to go for immediate help, support, and advice. This is what Hand to Hold provides. Community is everything in times of need, and Hand to Hold relies on community support to offer these services. This is why our theme this year is all about community. Thank you for making a difference in Austin and for supporting a cause that not only means the world to Brandon and me, but means a lot to this community.
Blessings,
Melissa & Brandon
About Melissa and Brandon
Melissa and Brandon Cason are originally from Plano, Texas, where they grew up only a few streets away from one another. The pair went to elementary all the way through high school together in Plano, however they were merely acquaintances during that time.
Melissa graduated from Texas State University with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. She is a former televisions news anchor and reporter who spent 6 years working at the NBC affiliate in Waco and 4 years at the ABC affiliate in Austin, KVUE.
After her first child was born, she decided to pursue a career in the real estate industry and currently is a Sales Executive for Texas National Title.
After graduating from Baylor, Brandon went on to work for Emmis Austin Radio producing events and sponsorship programming for KGSR, KLBJ and 101X. Brandon later worked with Vitaminwater and helped launch the South Texas field marketing team.
Melissa and Brandon then moved to Dallas for 3 years when he took a position with The Walt Disney Company as an executive director for Disney/ABC Domestic Television.
The pair moved back to Austin to launch Deep Eddy Vodka, where Brandon developed the marketing strategy as Vice President of Marketing. In early 2017 he co-founded Austin’s newest beverage brand Waterloo Sparkling Water. Brandon currently serves on the board of directors and as Chief Marketing Officer for Waterloo.
Melissa and Brandon are parents to nine year old Contessa and 4 year old twin boys Mitchell and Connor. They live in Barton Creek.