Welcome to this month's edition of “Special Delivery”, the monthly newsletter from Miracle Babies! Each month, we will share information about Miracle Babies events, news, and, most importantly, our impact. We are proud of our work and it is important for us to share these accomplishments with supporters like you!
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Share a picture of your NICU baby to provide hope and
inspiration to others.
Make sure to follow us on social media! Email pictures to info@miraclebabies.org or post on our social media pages.
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We have some BIG news here at
Miracle Babies!
Miracle Babies Founder Dr. Daneshmand and our Chief Operations Officer, Marianela Camarillo, purchased our FIRST shuttle during the month of February. This extraordinary shuttle is named "Agnes" after a gracious raise the paddle contribution at our October Gala. This shuttle will be used to launch our new transportation program. The shuttle will transport parents from home to the hospital to visit their newborns.
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BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S Co-Chairs Visit NBC
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Breakfast at Tiffany's co-chairs, Moe Razi and Christian Potter, went on NBC this past month to promote Miracle Babies' annual luncheon to raise funds for hospitalized newborns and their families.
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First 5 San Diego will once again be this year's Diaper Dash Sponsor at our 12th annual 5K. The Diaper Dash is a friendly race of crawlers ages 0-2.
First 5 San Diego has a mission to ensure the well-being of children and their families during a child's first five years of life. First 5 and Miracle Babies recognize the importance of the early years
of a child's life.
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Thank you to Rob Heller and
Heller Agency
for creating pro bono marketing and creative services for Miracle Babies. Heller is currently creating our new van wrap...stay tuned!
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Natera
provides state-of-the-art genetic tests for oncology, organ transplantation, and women's health. Their national sales conference was recently held in San Diego. As part of the conference Natera sponsored over 200 care packages and blankets made with care by conference attendees.
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In celebration of American Heart Month, Miracle Babies had the pleasure of hosting a booth a Rady Children’s Hospital’s 38
th
annual Heart Party. This event celebrated over 1,000 current and former cardiac surgery patients, including heart transplant recipients. Miracle Babies is proud to partner with Rady Children’s Hospital, the region’s only hospital with a designated intensive care unit for cardiac babies/children.
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VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION PARTY
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Miracle Babies is grateful to have a reliable corps of volunteers to assist our small staff in executing our amazing programs and big events! Miracle Babies celebrated these dedicated individuals at our annual
Volunteer Recognition Party.
We are extremely grateful for this group of people and all of the volunteers who help us through the year. We couldn't do what we do without you!
THANK YOU!
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February's UCI Parent Hour was extra special creating a Valentine's craft keepsake. Parents created valentine's frames for their NICU babies followed by a catered meal and car seat give away!
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UCSD's Fantastic 4 is made up of four little miracles who were all born way too soon and within the same week of each other. That week at UCSD in February of 2017 was one that brought these families together for a lifetime. These little miracles all received support from Miracle Babies and now want to give back! They were a force to be reckoned with at last years 5K and they hope to only do better this year. If you would like to join their team or donate to their team page click here.
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Have you ever seen the incredibly cute Tribute Boards during the Miracle Babies 5K?
Now is your chance to purchase a Keepsake Tribute Board for your loved ones! When you purchase a Keepsake Tribute Board we will place it on the 5K course for the run/walk. When the 5K is over you will have the opportunity to take your board home or you can leave it with us for the following years 5K. This is what we will need for a 5K Tribute Board:
- Before and After pictures
- Some birth information (date of birth, weight, gestational age, interesting facts, etc.)
- If your loved one is still in the hospital, how they are doing now or if the board is in memory of someone
These boards are meant to bring hope and inspiration to parents who have been through similar experiences while participating at the 5K. You can purchase a board whether you are registered for the 5K or not.
Keepsake Tribute Board -- $40
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On March 3, 2020, the Miracle Circle celebrated “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” at La Valencia, raising over $50,000 to support Miracle Babies new transportation program.
Special thanks to our incredible event chairs Moe Razi and Chrisitian Potter, our lovely emcee Rita Szczotka, Wendy Walker, inspiring keynote delivered by Dr. Eger and our heartfelt speakers Miracle Mom Amy Masterson and Miracle Babies Founder, Dr. Daneshmand.
Miracle Circle was founded in 2014 to band together philanthropic and innovative leaders to serve as good will ambassadors who support the work of Miracle Babies through fundraising, community outreach, and advocacy.
Click here
to learn more about joining the “Miracle Circle: A Labor of Love”.
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Miracle Babies had this impact in February 2020:
- 60+ parents participated in 7 hosted “Miracle Hours”. Parents enjoyed a meal, participated in crafts, and most importantly, escaped the isolation of the NICU – if only for any hour.
- 220 care packages were delivered to 9 hospitals. These packages were delivered to parents with babies in the NICU, regardless of need. These packages contain contents intended to support parents who spend considerable time in the NICU breastfeeding and providing “kangaroo care”.
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Thank you
to the following Facebook friends who “hosted” Facebook fundraisers in February to raise money for Miracle Babies:
Patrina Pillay, Lily Flores León, Emily Leal-Fernandez, Mary Sue Davis, Brittany Flores, Susan V Scott, and Emerald Green
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we
appreciate each one of you!
If you are interested in “hosting” your own Facebook fundraiser for Miracle Babies, go to the Fundraiser section of the Miracle Babies page and click on “Raise Money” or click below.
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Meet Miracle Baby Nora! Nora and her twin sister Amelia were unexpectedly born at 23 weeks and 4 days on February 8, 2017. Nora weighed 1 lb. 5 oz. while Amelia weighed 1 lb. 4 oz. Amelia earned her angel wings after 24 days in the NICU. Miracle Mom Amy had to gain the strength to still go into the NICU day-after-day to be there for Amelia's twin sister. Nora was a light of hope in such a dark time.
After 203 grueling days in the NICU, Nora was united with her family and able to go home. It wasn't until she went home that she FINALLY met her older sister Violet. This is not only a trying time for the parents but it can also be extremely difficult for older siblings. When NICU's are on flu restriction siblings may not be allowed to go into the hospital. It can be weeks or even months before they get to meet their new sibling(s).
Miracle Mom Amy was able to receive different forms of support from Miracle Babies but she still states the Miracle Hours had the most profound effect on her. She was able to meet other moms in the NICU who were experiencing the same hardship as she was. She is still friends with some of those families and they collectively support each other now during their journey after the NICU.
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Each month, “Special Delivery” will spotlight a “Miracle Worker” – someone who contributes to make Miracle Babies great!
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Meet Gizzelle Panelo, volunteer and Miracle Mom. Gizzelle is proud mom to Christian age 3. Christian was born at 32 weeks and spent 5 weeks in the NICU overcoming prematurity, a collapsed lung and IUGR.
In addition to being a mom Gizzelle works for the Najar Group, Keller Williams. Gizzelle is grateful to Miracle Babies for providing financial assistance and a holiday care package to her when her son was in the NICU. She knows firsthand what our Miracle Babies moms experience. Gizzelle loves being able to give back and assists Miracle Babies every month in delivering care packages to parents in the NICU now. Thank you Gizzelle, your time and dedication to ensure families in our smaller community hospitals receive support is much appreciated!
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