Help Molly raise money

First of all, thank you so much for visiting my fundraising page for Project Sweet Peas (PSP)! 🫛 It is an honor to be running for PSP for the third year in a row!

Many of you are probably familiar with our story by now, but I will provide a brief back story. December of 2017, my contractions started early, at 32 weeks, one day after my baby shower. I was put on bed rest and was in and out of BIDMC (Beth Israel Boston) for that month. Flash forward 3 weeks, and my son William was born at 35 weeks (about 5 weeks early). Our home away from home became the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) at BI. Initially we were sent home after 10 days, thinking Will was all set, but quickly realized he was hypothermic (with a temp of 93.4), as well as bradycardic (low heart rate), hypoxic (low oxygen) and hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) and back to the NICU we went. He ended up “graduating” and was able to come home on his actual due date, one month later. 

Meanwhile, I was recovering from a traumatic, emergent c-section, and spent a week on the post-partum floor, dealing with high blood pressure (pre/post-partum eclampsia) among other issues. Once I was discharged, I moved from room to room in BI, staying in any nook or closet I could get my hands on, so I could be close to Will, who was still in the NICU. I was determined to breastfeed, and so was pumping 24/7, and had to be on a no-soy, no-dairy diet for Will, who was also having GI issues (that led to 2 subsequent stays at BCH after we were home from BI, but that is another story!). I couldn’t drive post c-section, and so able to get a room at a local hotel to stay close to him, as it was wintertime and there was snow. (Otherwise I had to rely on others to get me into the city.)

Through it all, PSP was there to support us during this very traumatic, uncertain time. They provided care packages, countless food/snacks and infinite resources to parents and their families, to name a few. They provided books and cute little outfits over the holidays (Christmas & New Years) and adorable knit hats to keep their tiny bodies warm (Will clocked in at 5lbs 7oz, and dropped to 4lbs 7oz when he was dealing with GI/ feeding /breathing issues). He was a little bigger than the size of my hand! They provided extra pumping parts as I was nursing/ pumping around the clock, and helped find me places to stay so I didn't have to go home. 

You would never know it now, as Will is a thriving, happy, healthy 8 year old kid. But I am forever grateful to the BI NICU team and PSP for all the love, support and resources that they provided to us during a very uncertain and stressful time. 

If you are able, please help us to give back to PSP, in any way that you can! My goal this year is to raise $1,500, and every little bit counts! Funds go directly towards supporting Project Sweet Peas🫛 and their tireless efforts in supporting pregnancy, premature babies, their families / caregivers, as well as families going through unthinkable infant / premature loss. If you have experienced any of these circumstances, then you are aware of how traumatic and life-changing these events can be, and how the extra support can make all the difference. It truly takes a village! Thank you again for any support you can offer, and thank you PSP, for all that you do!! 🙏🏻