Kaepernick's parents, Rick and Teresa, lost two infant boys to heart disease. Born between oldest son Kyle and daughter Devon, Lance lived 23 days and underwent two heart surgeries before passing. Kent died at 4 days old."It was Colin that got us involved with Camp Taylor," says Teresa Kaepernick. "He had just been drafted by the 49ers and he had received a check for something. He said, 'I want to donate this check somewhere where it'll help kids with heart defects.' That just blew me away. "Losing children to heart disease wasn't something we really talked a lot about as a family, but obviously he had given a lot of thought to this."
But Kaepernick wanted to do more than just endorse a check. "Colin goes all out for the kids," says [Camp Taylor's Kimberlie] Gamino. "He's all about the kids, making them smile and being there for them on their level ... well, not really, he's 6-foot-4. "Last year, he was supposed to be at the camp for three hours; he stayed seven."