It has been some time since posting anything about the Foundation. The pandemic has affected everyone and we have had quite a dry spell of families in need of help as Primary Children’s, like most hospitals, has been focused on the pandemic.
This week the quiet was broken and we helped another family. This family is from Pocatello, ID. Mom has a fascinating and heartbreaking story. She had a kidney transplant at age 11. Recovered and married her high school sweetheart. In 2014 they decided to start their family. Because of her kidney transplant they knew that she would be high risk, but felt it was worth the effort and the medical Doctors monitored her pregnancy very closely.
On the first try, Mom miscarried at 10 weeks. In 2018 they decided to try again. At 33 weeks the baby boy developed problems in utero and was still born, a heartbreaking event.
This young couple decided to try once more. Based upon the story Mom told it appeared to be a normal pregnancy other than a couple of incidents of high blood pressure that was monitored and controlled. She had a doctors appointment in February and, after the ultrasound, the doctors felt she should be transported to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City as the baby was having some challenges. According to Mom, the doctors left the room for a conference and, when they came back said that they needed to deliver the baby NOW. At 25 weeks Jace was born via C-Section with multiple complications. Jace was in the NICU at the local Idaho hospital until May when the decision was made to transfer him to Salt Lake City (a 3 hour drive away) where he has been fighting for his life ever since.
We were approached by the Social Service group at Primary Children’s as Mom and Dad were having a very hard time keeping up their jobs, expenses and still trying to visit Jace whenever they could. Based upon the discussions, the Foundation bought a $300 gas certificate to pay for the trips down and will be funding a hotel for the last weekend in August and every weekend in September. By removing the burden of cost for this period of time, Mom and Dad can safely make the trip and catch up on the rest of their bills.
Once again, we are humbled to be able to have a positive impact on the lives of folks who have to face the challenges every day of special needs children. It is our honor to be able to step in and fill a void that heretofore had no one to be able to assist.
As with many other non-profits, the Pandemic has virtually stopped donations to the foundation. If these stories touch you and you can comfortably donate any amount it would be greatly appreciated so we can carry on our mission. You can donate by going to https://nikolasfoundation.org/donate/ and give. It is 100% tax deductible and 100% of the net goes to our needy families as we have no employees and minimal expenses.
Thank you.