Our Story

Our foundation’s story is a personal one.

In April 2021, Stephanie Gonzales and her husband Frank welcomed into the world two twin boys, Frank and Leo — the namesakes for this foundation.

The boys were born at 22 weeks and three days, nearing the absolute limit for viability. The boys weighed 1 pound, 7 ounces and 1 pound, 1 ounce. According to the University of Alabama-Birmingham, the most premature baby ever known to survive was born at 21 weeks and 1 day.

Frank and Leo blessed the Gonzales family after the heartbreaking loss of their daughter, Harper Ann, who was born at 20 weeks. Medical advancements in the following years gave Frank and Leo the fighting chance they needed — and Stephanie and Frank vowed to fight right alongside their boys.

After 3 weeks in another hospital, Frank and Leo were transferred to Children’s Wisconsin — making an ambulance the boys’ first car ride. Arriving at Children’s, Stephanie was overcome with the sense that they were in the right place. Their new care team included cardiologists, pulmonologists, neurologists, and other specialists. Frank and Leo received phenomenal care in the NICU and PICU, fighting through testing, treatments, and emergency surgeries.

Frank required a tracheostomy and would require it for a total of 1071 days – nearly 3 years. The incredible NICU nurses, Trach/Vent Team, and Complex Care Team trained Frank and Steph to care for the boys at home.

“They empowered us and spoke to us not only as medical professionals, but as fellow parents and human beings,” Stephanie has said. “We would not be the family we are today without the support we received.”

Now 5 years old, the boys have started kindergarten in the fall of 2026. They participate in multiple therapies: occupational, physical, speech, and even music therapy and horse therapy. They take swim lessons and take part in adaptive baseball with the Miracle League of Milwaukee. Their strong and happy personalities bring a smile to the faces of all who have the honor of meeting and knowing them.

“They are doing things we were told they would never be able to do,” Stephanie said.

They have truly earned their titles as the 22-Week Warriors.

With a heart full of gratitude for the care provided by Children’s Wisconsin, Stephanie felt compelled to give back. In 2024, she spearheaded the inaugural Liquid Johnny’s Golf Outing benefiting Children’s Wisconsin. Through the first 2 years, the Golf Outing raised nearly $11,000 in contributions to the Children’s Wisconsin Foundation.

In 2026, its third year, the event has seen participation approaching double the previous

years.

With growth like that, it was only logical for Steph to take her vision to the next level. What had been a group of friends raising money for a worthy cause, has evolved into Frank & Leo’s 22-Week Warrior Foundation.

The Foundation’s main purpose is to support programs for children with disabilities, children requiring complex care, and children born prematurely. By becoming a registered nonprofit organization, Frank & Leo’s 22-Week Warrior Foundation will have the ability to raise more money for Children’s Wisconsin and other programs that help and support kids like Frank and Leo so they may live their best quality lives.

The Foundation is powered by our volunteers and volunteer Board of Directors. The Golf Outing (and all future events dreamed into existence by Stephanie) require the hands of many volunteers of time, talent, and monetary or non-monetary gifts – if you are interested in supporting the mission of Frank & Leo’s 22-Week Warrior Foundation, please click the button below to see how you can help!