Heidi and Jason Davis are the proud first-time parents of Calin Lee Davis.  They are now at home, loving every minute with their precious baby boy.  But it hasn’t always been this joyous.  Calin was born on August 22, 2007 at 28 weeks, weighing just 1 pound 3 ounces. He spent the next 116 days in the NICU at the Nebraska Medical Center.  Calin experienced many problems that are common for babies born so prematurely and endured many surgeries.  He also has cystic fibrosis.

The Davis’s, who live in Hastings, had to travel to Omaha to get the care Calin needed.  Heidi was lucky enough to stay in Omaha the whole time he was hospitalized, but was left alone often as her husband and family needed to return to work.  Heidi (and sometimes other family members) attended many NICU Family Support programs, including scrapbooking, parent hours, blanket making and pizza nights.   “These activities helped me develop a support system with other NICU families.  I also made a special memory book and learned to laugh in the midst of my constant worry about Calin.   Abby (the MOD NICU Family Support Specialist) offered tremendous support and encouragement.”  Due, in part, to the support they received from the March of Dimes, the Davis family has committed to being long term volunteers for the Foundation.