For JJ's NICU fund!
In 2022 we had an experience that changed our lives forever, which is why 100% of the proceeds from this shop are donated to JJ's NICU Fund at the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation.
https://rchfoundation.akaraisin.com/ui/jjs_nicu_fund/donations/start
Jacob's Story
"Due to pregnancy complications, Jacob (who was due on August 19th) had Fetal Growth Restriction and was born very early. On Tuesday, July 12th, it was determined that Jacob was in distress and needed to be delivered immediately. Within 30 minutes, an emergency C-Section was performed at our local hospital; baby Jacob was born weighing only 3lbs 8oz, even though a much higher weight had been predicted by the ultrasound a very short time before. A long and stressful 24 hours later we were transferred to the Royal Columbian Hospital NICU.
This was such a disquieting, taxing time and the hospital was quite a distance from our home. We looked for local accommodation ourselves, but availability was low and the price was insanely high for anything we did find.
To our relief, a Social Worker at Royal Columbian got in touch with us and let us know that there was a fund someone had set up for situations like ours. Within hours she had booked us in at a local hotel, which was completely set up for a post-natal mother, and let us know it was 100% covered by the fund. It is difficult to imagine how we would have survived our NICU stay at Royal Columbian, physically and mentally, if it was not for the generous support of complete strangers who had previously been through what we ourselves were now experiencing. This made such an incredible impact on us when we needed it most, and we will be forever grateful."
Fast forward to today...
"Jacob is a happy, healthy, thriving little guy! Looking at him now, you would never guess he started his life as a little preemie baby.
Bethany and I wanted to make sure we could help support families with babies in the NICU for years to come. Time spent in the NICU is unlike anything else you will experience; babies come from all over the province, every day, to get the help they so desperately require. The families of these babies come from a wide range of backgrounds, financial means, and unique situations, and often their NICU experience lasts from weeks to several months! During this stressful time, we want to ensure that these families receive anything they need, to reduce any additional stress on top of that already incurred by a stay in the NICU.
We have taken the first steps to open a new fund at Royal Columbian Hospital, and we need your help to begin!
JJ’s NICU Fund will be fully operational once an initial amount of $10,000 is raised. We can’t do this alone, and we will be working hard to fundraise both to raise the initial amount, as well as to provide ongoing support in the years to come!" –Daryll, Jacob's father
