Swim for Melissa

It was just a regular day.

I went to work as usual on May 18, 2010.

I left my office shortly before noon to meet my husband at the maternal/fetal specialist’s office for a weekly checkup. I was 28 weeks pregnant with twin boys who weren’t growing as fast as my doctors would have liked, so I got a checkup ultrasound every Tuesday to monitor them. Jeff and I met in the waiting room and, as usual, discussed where to have lunch after the appointment.

Change of Plans

I never got to have lunch that day. During the ultrasound, the doctor found that my boys were in trouble and had to be delivered immediately. Stunned and dazed, Jeff and I left the office and went to Huntsville Hospital, where I got checked in and prepped for surgery.

I had nothing with me but the clothes I was wearing and my purse. Not even a camera. It wasn’t the exciting trip to the hospital I had always planned; there was no fully-packed hospital bag or birth plan or carefully-chosen “going home” outfits for the boys.

I delivered Will and Graham by emergency c-section that afternoon. Will weighed 2 lbs. 15 oz. and Graham weighed 2 lbs. 7 oz. Immediately after birth, they were taken upstairs to the NICU. Later I got my first real look at them through the windows of their Giraffe incubator beds. A maze of wires monitored their vital signs and ventilator tubes breathed for them.

A Rollercoaster

Will and Graham were both tough little fighters, but Graham eventually stopped responding to treatment. He died six days after they were born, due to complications of prematurity. Will spent 71 days in the NICU, fighting infection and problems with his brain, lungs, heart and digestive system. Thanks to the tremendous care he received, Will is now a healthy, vibrant 3-year-old.

The NICU is often described by parents as a rollercoaster experience. Graham’s death was the hardest thing I have ever faced, and Will went through many frightening turns before finally, slowly, improving enough to come home.

Our NICU family – the doctors, nurses and staff – helped us through the worst months of our lives and we are so grateful for that. They do the same for hundreds of families every year, and are aided in their mission by state-of-the art lifesaving equipment – like the Giraffe incubator beds where my boys stayed – purchased through the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund.

Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund

Melissa’s Fund was created in 2005 by Chris and Amy George, whose twin girls, Melissa and Ann Catherine, were born prematurely. Melissa passed away a few short hours after their birth. The Georges are an amazing family, and I encourage you to find out more about their story by reading this post.

The money raised by the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund saves lives. It also supports families in a variety of ways.

My family experienced first-hand what Melissa’s Fund has done for our community and our NICU. I can’t think of a more worthwhile cause to support. The two biggest annual fundraising events for Melissa’s Fund are coming up in a couple of weeks: the Miracle Bash and Swim for Melissa 2013

Miracle Bash 2013

This year the Miracle Bash moves to Burritt on the Mountain, with a fiesta theme. There will be margaritas, live music by Mambo Gris Gris, a Mexican-themed buffet dinner and, as always, the best silent auction in town. The event is August 23rd and tickets are available online through August 21st. [spacer size=”0″]

Swim for Melissa 2013

Saturday, August 24 is the Swim for Melissa 2013, a fun, family-friendly event at the Hampton Cove pool. Children form teams and raise funds throughout the summer, and then celebrate their hard work with a free swim, food, face painting and more.

One of the best things about Melissa’s Fund is that the money stays right here in Huntsville. There are hundreds of families with their own NICU stories; you can read about them here. Please consider attending and/or donating to help our community’s tiniest babies.

Want to learn more?

You can find out more about my favorite local philanthropy by visiting:

• the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund on Facebook
• the website for Miracle Bash
• The website for Swim for Melissa

Event Information: Swim for Melissa 2103

Date: Saturday August 24th
Time: 9am-3pm
Location: Hampton Cove Pool
Address: 2700 Hampton Cove Way Hampton Cove 35763
Cost: $20 per swimmer
Register: online

Event Information: Miracle Bash 2013

Date: Friday, August 23rd
Time: 6:30-10:30pm
Location: Baron Bluff, Burritt on the Mountain
Cost: $75 per person
Tickets: Available online

About the Author

Anna Claire is the magazines & specialty publications editor for The Huntsville Times. She’s a near-lifelong resident of the Huntsville area and loves scouting her hometown for interesting people, places and events – and getting the word out about them. Her heart is her family: her husband Jeff, and sons Will (age 3) and Wyatt (age 1). You can find her on Twitter @acvollers and online at www.annaclairevollers.com.