CHILDREN BORN PREMATURELY REUNITE WITH HOLTZ CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL DOCTORS WHO SAVED THEIR LIVES

Gabriella Mercedes Gil and her mother, Maruja Gil; Ashlyn, Bella Olson,  and their mother, Jody Olson; Andres, Adrian and Alejandro Janer, and their mother, Rocio Cedeno; other children treated in the Holtz NICU; Teresa Del Moral, M.D., UM/Holtz neonatologist; other NICU doctors, nurses and supporters

Doctors and nurses from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Holtz Children’s Hospital are celebrating the lives of children who were born prematurely and went on to live healthy lives by reuniting with them at the NICU Family Party. Children of all ages – some just months old, others who are teenagers – will reunite with the doctors and nurses who took care of them and helped save their lives. Former patients and their parents will walk the red carpet, have their photos taken and share stories with other families whose lives were touched by the Holtz NICU staff.

Among the former patients returning for the event is 3-year-old Gabriella Mercedes Gil, who was born four months early in March 2009. Weighing just over one pound, Gabriella had many life-threatening problems associated with extreme prematurity and was only given a 15 percent chance of survival. She spent eight months in the Holtz NICU. Gabriella is now an active child who enjoys playing with her parents.
  
Ashlyn Olson, 9, was born at Jackson Memorial Hospital at 27 weeks gestation, weighing only two pounds. She spent four months in the NICU so her lungs could develop. Following her discharge, Ashlyn required physical, speech, breathing and cardiac therapy. Ashlyn’s younger sister, 4-year-old Bella, was also born premature at 29 weeks. Bella spent nearly three months in the Holtz NICU. Ashlyn now enjoys sharing her story and giving hope to parents whose babies were born prematurely.

On January 13, 1997, Rocio Cedeno gave birth at Jackson Memorial Hospital to triplets – Andres, Adrian and Alejandro Janer. The babies, born prematurely at 26 weeks, had many complications, including sleep apnea, intestinal problems and liver and lung issues that required them to remain in the Holtz NICU for months. Today, the boys are 15 and in 10th grade at Miami Lakes Educational Center, where Alejandro is studying culinary arts, Andres is studying television and production, and Adrian is studying automobile engineering. Their mother credits their survival to the NICU staff. “I know my babies were born in the right place,” she said.

28, 2012, 3:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.

Jackson Memorial Hospital
Ira C. Clark Diagnostic Treatment Center
Room 270
Corner of Northwest 12th Avenue and 19th Street
Miami, Florida 33136

November is Prematurity Awareness Month and it is the perfect time to focus on the serious problem of premature birth, which affects one in every eight babies. Holtz is the home to one of the largest NICUs in the nation and it is known worldwide for its cutting-edge research to improve neonatal care and it success in caring for critically ill infants.

*Media can park outside of the DTC