My Story…
On May 4, 2021, our little Jedi Ava Rose arrived extra early at only 24 weeks and four days gestation. She surprised us all with no warning signs after an otherwise uneventful pregnancy. Being a true Taurus, Ava Rose arrived with a zest for life and ready to prove what she is made of - strength, resilience, grace, and the ability to harness what seems impossible. Ava Rose showed us she could move mountains during her 132-day stay at the Foothills Hospital NICU and the Peter Lougheed Centre NICU. Her journey included moving from feeding tubes in her mouth and nose to rocking full bottles, a PDA ligation surgery to close a duct in her heart (at only three weeks of life), breathing with the help of a ventilator for 18 days (and later a CPAP machine and low flow oxygen), blood transfusions, and growing from 1 pound and 7 ounces to 9 pounds and 5 ounces the day she left the NICU.
Ava Rose was admitted to the NICU during strict COVID pandemic measures. This meant that her parents were the only family that could be with her. And we learned that while our journey with Ava Rose differed from most parents' postpartum journey, it's our journey and quite the tale to tell. From her father changing her tiny diapers to her mom bringing in small heart-shaped blankets with her smell on them, to endless skin-to-skin cuddles in the hospital. Our nurses, neonatologists, respiratory therapists, and medical staff who cared for Ava Rose daily - and other families we connected to while in the NICU - became like family to us. We witnessed and celebrated her journey together.
Today we continue to stand in awe of our daughter, our greatest hero. She turned two years of age this May and is healthy and still as feisty as ever! Our days with Ava Rose have turned to chasing around a busy and active toddler, talking to her about her favourite moments at Montessori (she loves painting, drawing, dancing, and singing the Wheels on the Bus), reading her extensive book collection, taking in weekly swimming lessons, exploring the beautiful Rocky mountains, playing with her two dogs, and spending time with family as well as loved ones. The NICU provided us with the greatest gift of our lives, our beautiful and thriving daughter. We will be forever indebted to the best class care we received and will work tirelessly to give back in any way we can to help future families.
Description
Calgary Health Foundation funds breakthrough investments, like giving every newborn a fighting chance. We’re ensuring the one in eight babies born prematurely in our community have access to the best technologies available, and we’re actively addressing Alberta’s higher than average preterm birth rate through applied research. Your participation and support through the Sport Chek Mother’s Day Run, Walk, & Wheel will support our ongoing Newborns Need campaign which aims to raise over $60 million to transform neonatal care across Southern Alberta.
Recent donors
| Donation date | Donor name | Donation amount |
|---|---|---|
| May 13 | Anonymous | $100.00 |
| May 13 | Zana Saby | Undisclosed amount |
| May 13 | Roslyn Stollery | $107.72 |
| May 12 | Kate McKenzie & Leor Rotchild | $27.60 |
| May 12 | Tim and Rosalind | $100.00 |
| May 11 | Anonymous | Undisclosed amount |
| May 11 | Anonymous | Undisclosed amount |
| May 11 | Kathy | $54.31 |
| May 11 | Amelie Stritzke | $107.72 |
| May 09 | Jack & Barb McKay | Undisclosed amount |
