Long Island Division Ambassador - Emma Schmidt

After two years, Donna and Matt Schmidt were able to conceive through in-vitro fertilization. In January 2004, Donna was rushed to Stony Brook University Hospital, where they found her dilated with no amniotic fluid. Emma Renee Schmidt was born via emergency C-section at only 27 weeks, weighing 1 lb., 11 oz. She remained in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for three months. While there, she acquired a Staph infection, a strong sign of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), but Emma fought her way back and recovered. Today, she is happy and healthy with no effects from her very rocky start and the Schmidts continue to volunteer, speak and help raise awareness for the issue of premature birth.

Michaela Saoirse Sara McVerry was delivered at 24 weeks via C-section and weighed 2 lbs., 3 oz. She could breathe but had many issues including skin infections, a broken arm (from delivery) that would require surgery, a hole in her heart, a liver fistula, apnea, and bracchycardia. At three and a half months, Michaela was at Westchester Medical Center with a serious stomach infection and her entire body was shaking from the force of the ventilator. She was swollen from infection, yellowed, and barely conscious. Today, Michaela pulls herself to a standing position, reaches out for her older brother, and can captivate with her endless stream of babbling and squealing. Thank you March of Dimes.

On September 11, 2004, Greg and Elisabeth Garofalo were celebrating the news that they were expecting their first child in May. On January 22, Elisabeth was rushed to the hospital at only 24 weeks, and on January 28, weighing 1 lb., 2 oz., Gabriela Lisbeth was born. Ultimately, Gabriela spent 165 days in the NICU/PICU and was discharged on July 11, 2005 on a ventilator, oxygen, and with a tracheotomy. Gabriela has undergone four major surgeries and has been to the operating room nine times. She has spent one year on diuretics, 15 months on continuous oxygen, 17 months on a ventilator and was trached for 18 months. Her mom has had to resuscitate her on four occasions.

In July 2004, Jennifer Stalsonberg and her husband discovered she was pregnant after 15 months of trying, and having a miscarriage. They were so happy, but in January 2005, with 11 weeks to go, Jennifer was heading to St. Joseph’s Hospital by ambulance to deliver. Nina Lynn was born by emergency C-section. She weighed 1 lb., 4 oz. and was rushed away to receive surfactant. She was placed on a respirator and a nasal canula, but by the end of January, she was breathing on her own. On March 10, 2005, the Stalsonbergs finally got to hold Nina, without wires. Nina loves golfing with daddy, swimming, books, animals and fishing. She is now 2 ½ years-old and is excited to start preschool.

Serica was born at 30 weeks, weighing 2 lbs., 5 oz. She spent 5 weeks in the NICU at Strong Memorial Hospital, where she received surfactant. Serica was treated for jaundice and fed through a tube. At 5 weeks old, weighing 3 lbs., 5 oz., Serica was transferred closer to home to Thompson Health, where she spent another three weeks before she was able to go home. To look at Serica today you would never guess she was born prematurely. She just turned 10 years-old and is a gold medal-winning gymnast, who could run circles around most of us. Her Canandaigua Family Team is called “The Mighty Miracle.”

Mia and Owen were born on September 5, 2002, nearly 6 weeks premature after their mother, Whitney developed preeclampsia. They were unable to breathe on their own upon delivery and as a result, they were taken to the NICU and placed on ventilators. During their 4-week stay in the NICU, they battled infection, jaundice, a heart condition and feeding complications. They came home one month after their delivery attached to oxygen support and monitors, but that did not stand in their way. Today, Mia and Owen are healthy, happy, vibrant 5 year-olds who share a love of life and family. They are forever grateful for the research, education, and advocacy programs supported by the March of Dimes.