Yesterday, the local ambassador of the Loki Sky and His NICU Friends Holiday Fund--and mother of post-preemie Anna--handed over a check for $2400 to the Alta Bates Summit NICU. Made possible by many of you, this money will help families who face economic challenges while having a new baby in the NICU. In its four years, our fund has now raised over $10,000! We all thank you very very much for making this possible! Happy new year!
Dear Family, Friends, Friends of Family and Family of Friends,
The Loki Sky and his NICU Friends Holiday Fund is launching one more time. And once again we hope that you can help families in need at the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center NICU. At the close of this letter, you can find instructions on how you can do so.
We are deeply grateful for your support over the past years. You've helped dozens of families who have newborns in the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center NICU, while facing financial challenges. The NICU shared the story of Maria and Juan, who directly benefited from your donations last year. They were evicted from their apartment just as their baby girl was born at 29 weeks gestation. With your help, they were able to purchase essentials such as a portable crib, a stroller, and a baby swing. You can read their full story at the end of this email.
Together we will help other families like this who are in need, and we hope you will support our efforts. Our goal is simple: to reach the $10,000 combined in our four years of fundraising. This will require $2,005 this year. We can do it!
How can you donate?
1) Internet: Please go to http://www.paypal.com and use a credit card or Paypal account to send money to XXXX[AT]gmail[DOT]com. Be sure to note "Holiday Fund" in the comments.
2) US: Please mail checks in name of: XXXX. Please write “Holiday Fund” in the memo.
3) NL: Maak geld over op rekening XXXX o.v.v. “Holiday Fund”
We have a somewhat tighter schedule this year, as we have been busy managing the consequences of our own child’s premature birth. Our deadline is the 24th of December.
With warmth,
Loki Sky and his NICU Friends
Maria and Juan’s Story:
"Maria and Juan were very excited to be first time parents and looking forward to having their baby girl when she was unexpectedly born early at 29 weeks gestation. Maria, who spoke only Spanish, and Juan were very devoted and loving parents. Their support network was also limited all of their family members lived in Mexico. Juan would drive Maria to the hospital every day at his lunch hour from East Contra Costa County, where she would spend the day with baby Lupita while Juan worked. While Maria and Juan delighted in their baby, they were very concerned because they had just learned that the home they were living in was going to be sold and they had to find a new apartment very quickly before baby came home. While Juan worked, they still needed to have money to pay a deposit and first and last month’s rent on a new apartment. In addition, they had to pay for the gas every day to visit Lupita while also saving for the baby equipment they would need for her. This was a very emotionally trying time for Maria and Juan as they were very worried about Lupita and dealing with the stress of having her separated from them. Maria found herself in tears often wondering where they were going to live and how they would pay for their new apartment, gas AND Lupita’s things. Things became even more stressful for the family when they heard the news that Juan’s brother had died unexpectedly in Mexico. Despite their concerns about money, time needed to find a new apartment and their sadness about Juan’s brother, they continued to come daily and Maria continued to pump breastmilk around the clock for Lupita, who never knew a day without her parents coming to visit and care for her. Eventually, Maria and Juan found a new apartment but were especially relieved when they learned that they could receive assistance with purchasing a portable crib, a stroller and a baby swing from the Alta Bates NICU Family Resource Council assistance funds. With their NICU social worker, Maria went “shopping” on-line and was able to pick out a Minnie Mouse themed portacrib/playard that matched the theme of the other nursery they had planned for Lupita as well as a stroller and a swing. Having this very important help from the Family Resource Funds meant that they could save their money to pay for their costly moving expenses without having to forgo important baby equipment. While these gifts helped to reduce Maria and Juan’s stress about how they would manage financially, the assistance meant so much to them that Maria cried with appreciation knowing that other people cared so much and wanted to help."
We did it! You did it! You helped us raise $3795, almost doubling our goal of $2000. Without your help it would not have been possible. We are grateful beyond words for your support.
"I cannot tell you how amazed and delighted we all were by the generosity of your donors -$3795!!!! You have managed to generate so much goodwill and provided the Family Advisory Council with a resource to help many families in need. You have touched the hearts of so many individuals." Alison Brooks, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Alta Bates NICU.
Going strong and going on... This is our last call for your support in our effort to support Alta Bates NICU families who--in addition to having their child in the hospital--are facing financial difficulties.
To those who have donated or supported us otherwise: "Thank You!" If you have not yet donated, please consider doing so. Especially during this current economic downtown, many families need assistance in order to buy essentials such as a child car seat, crib, and diapers. Details on how you can donate are at the end of this message.
The delivery of the check by Loki Sky and his NICU Friends ambassador Mascha is set for Thursday December 29th. Both Family Advisory Council President Rob and FAC member Melissa will be there to receive the check.
Melissa and her son Sam were featured in this beautiful Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Ad:
Please read this story of two little miracles: Alexandra and Gabriella.
"Our tiny daughters had the rockiest start of any child ever born. From the very beginning we were told, 'Two steps forward, one step back.' But we still had no idea how long and arduous that journey would actually be.
"The three months our daughters were in the NICU were full of challenges, hopes, and dreams. We watched them struggle to learn how to breathe, recover from heart surgery, learn how to suck, swallow, and breathe, fight infections (meningitis and ecoli), stare death in the face numerous times and survive. As each one of these issues began to resolve itself, we began to see light at the end of the NICU tunnel. Under the ever so watchful nurses, we began to learn how to care for our daughters and to relish in the joy of a gained pound or milestone met. When our daughters were discharged we felt confident in the knowledge that they were going to be okay, and that they were ready to begin life in the outside world.
"After seven years, our daughters continue to do well. They are happy and thriving. They love to draw and play dress-up. It is so exciting watching them read and do schoolwork. Seven years ago we never thought they would do so well.
"We owe all of this to the amazing care our daughters received in the NICU. Every nurse and doctor will always hold a special place in our hearts."
For those who followed the fund last year, you may recognize Gabriella and Alexandra. Their mother Amy delivered, together with Mascha, gift-cards and books to the NICU.We made it... with your support we did indeed meet our target for this year’s Loki Sky and his NICU Friends Holiday Fund! We are very, very excited and grateful .
We won’t, however, disclose the exact amount until the check is handed over to the NICU. Due to reasons beyond our control this won’t happen until the week after Christmas, unlike earlier plans. Our ambassador Mascha will visit the NICU and offer the check on behalf of everybody who donated money. We want to honor all our donors and write your name on a letter handed to the NICU at time of delivery. If you do not want to be mentioned please let us know before Saturday the 24th, in that case we will respectfully delete your name from the public list.
The benefit of this little delay is that, if you are still considering donating, we can accept donations until Tuesday the 27th of December. Although we met our goal, let’s see how far we can take this fund. The more money we are able to donate, the more families we will be able to help out.
The social workers at the NICU are some of the professionals who know better than anyone else the challenges and hardships that families face. We want to share a few words from NICU social worker Misty Schutltz. Misty is someone who has made a big difference for many NICU families, including Loki Sky and some of his friends.
Misty Schultz: "The families are always VERY appreciative of any assistance. The money is nice as we can get gift certificates, which provide the parents with choice—item, color style—which is very empowering—going shopping for your own child. The money you gather for us at Christmas lasts the entire year. We save it for the neediest families so they can purchase car seats, clothing, blankets, bassinets or other essential infant care items for their preemie. I have a story of someone who got much needed help--- a young 20 year old single mom of a 2 year old who delivered premature twins. She had very little family support. She had nothing for the twins, literally nothing in the entire, and we were able to help her get all infant supplies to help care for her babies."
Also, a quote from Loki Sky’s mama: "I very well remember those first scary months of Loki’s life. In particular, I remember a moment where I walked the NICU hallways after scrubbing my hands, which at that time were hurting and a bit bloody from the chemicals in the soap and the anti-bacterial gel. I was exhausted, sad, and scared. I just could not accept the concept of this being our birth story and only the end of it: a traumatic start, that's it. I really wanted this to be more than Loki’s difficult start. I wanted this to make sense.
"The way that I have been able to make sense of it all is ensuring that--somehow--other people can benefit from our situation. To that extent this Holiday Fund has been an opportunity for me to heal. It inspires me how this fund has brought many former preemie families together, making a difference to those following us in the NICU. Even more so, I am incredibly grateful to all our family members, friends, and returning donors who are making this possible for the third year in a row. In your effort to support families currently in need, you are also helping several former preemie families make sense of their own story. To turn a difficult life-changing event into a positive and rewarding situation is perhaps the greatest gift we could receive during the Holidays. From the bottom of my heart I thank you for this."
This is where Loki came from:
And this is where he is now:
$1701 in donations thus far! We are marching toward the $2000 which we are hoping to collect in order to support families at the Alta Bates NICU in Berkeley. Once again, many, many thanks for all your support.
Not every family is blessed with a wonderfully supportive social network, or with the ability to leave their job for the duration of their baby's hospital stay or after homecoming. Loki and his NICU friends are a group of former preemie parents who, despite a traumatic start of their babies' lives, feel tremendously blessed and grateful for all the help which they received from family, friends, hospital staff, and strangers. We want all NICU families to spend critical time with their baby. We want all NICU families to be able to be with their baby in the hospital and not to worry about care for their children at home. We want families who are perfectly capable of offering their baby a socially and emotionally safe home to bring their baby home. Lack of a car seat, crib, diapers, stroller, and other necessities should not be an issue for any family. With your help, we have been able to support many families the past two years, and with your help we will be able to offer support to many more this upcoming year.
We want to share a few quotes from the mother of "baby boy" Bennett', whose story is quite a powerful one. He announced his arrival at merely 19 weeks gestation after his mother's water broke and in addition she was diagnosed with a complete placenta previa. Miraculously, his mother was able to keep him inside, allowing him to grow with practically no amniotic fluid, a situation which seriously diminished his chances of survival. Bennett came into this world with 31+5 weeks gestation. His mother spent 110 days in bed, of which 90 days in the hospital. What followed was another 60 days in the NICU and a year filled with many hospitalizations. Despite all these challenges, Bennett is developing amazingly well.
Please meet Bennett and his super mom Elisa:
"Those 90 days in that hospital bed -- waiting for Bennett to be born and wondering if he would live -- were some of the most challenging I've ever faced ... and they were immediately followed by his birth, his fairly miraculous survival and a 60-day NICU stint. That's 150 days we spent at Alta Bates. Bennett was incredibly sick and fragile at birth. On the heels of three very precarious months in a hospital bed, there were days in that NICU when I was certain I didn't have either the physical or emotional strength to get through the hypervigilance required to NICU-parent him to that background soundtrack of beeps, pings and alarms that still ring in my head today, more than a year later. But somehow, during that most unlucky time in my life ... meeting [Mom] through Mascha, and having both of their veteran support, made me feel anything but. It was a gift. Two moms who'd been there and could shine some light on the path. I was rich with their support, empathy, and logistical know-how (ask for "so and so" nurse, make sure you eat, park on the side streets, take a break, etc.). There were dozens and dozens of NICU families in there during our NICU stay, and we all looked like zombies, floating in, washing our hands, finding our babies, peering in their incubators with all their wires and IVs and monitors... so very aware of how abnormal a start this is for a baby (and his mom).
"And yet, in all that abnormality... there was a comfort. And the only way I can explain it is that, because Mascha introduced me to Kat and Loki, the NICU knew Bennett and me before he even arrived and welcomed us with open arms. Because there was a Loki, the NICU's clinical director and a few of Loki's special nurses had visited me in my antepartum room multiple times before Bennett's arrival. This connection made ALL the difference. Loki helped me to 'belong" to a club that no one wants to be in, but hell... if you find yourself there... how grateful you will be if you can drop his name. ;)"
This Anna, she visited Elisa on Aug. 12, 2010 (Elisa was then 29 weeks pregnant). Anna was born on the same floor at 30 weeks, 3 lbs. 4 oz. Elisa continues:"This is not the experience for 99% of Alta Bates NICU families. Most do not have 90-hospitalized days to prepare for the fact that their 'best case scenario' is a very sick and premature baby. Most do not know families who've been there before them. Many do not live in such close proximity to the hospital. Many do not have local family and friends who can offer meals and help with other children. And what is very evident to anyone who is familiar with the Alta Bates NICU... many of the NICU families lack basic financial resource. And so... the experience of having a sick and premature child is not only emotionally and logistically devastating, but it has an immediate and significant harmful financial impact. We hope that your gift and support to the most needy families in the Alta Bates NICU will provide them with a moment, at one of the most unlucky times in their lives, during which they feel an interruption of luck, good will, care and support."
Loki Sky was born at the same floor at 24 weeks gestation, weighing 1 lbs., 5 oz. This photo was taken on Aug. 5 2010, visiting Elisa who was 28 weeks pregnant that day. 
What a wonderful kick off to our Holiday Fund. Not even two weeks into the fund and we have already received $788 in donations. THANK YOU so very much!! If you are still contemplating whether you would like to support our fund please remember that all the donations will benefit families in the Alta Bates NICU who are facing significant financial hardship. Their economic situation threatens their ability to be with their baby in the hospital, or even worse for some, it may threaten their baby’s homecoming because they cannot afford car seats, cribs and other necessities. Please read the following testimonies and consider supporting us in our effort to support these families.
"The story of Sam is one that I have told to anyone and everyone that will listen. He was born in September of 2010 at just 24 weeks and weighed only 1 lb 12 ounces. We spent 95 days in the NICU at Alta Bates, enduring many roller coaster rides as Sam went from a fragile micro- preemie to a "feeder and a grower". Those are the basic facts, but there is so much more to Sam's story. While Sam in the NICU, Sam was cared for every day by superheros: his nurses, nurse practitioner, neonatoligists, physical therapist, occupational therapists, and many many more. Each one of these people had a hand in saving the life of my son. I was so inspired by what I witnessed daily in the NICU that I allowed my story to be filmed for a Sutter Health TV ad and am now an active member of the Family Advisory Council. The first thing the Council did was set up a fund so we could help out those families less fortunate that find themselves in the NICU. It was such an easy and obvious way that we could give back and improve someone else’s stay in the NICU. It is with gratitude and purpose that I fully support the Holiday Gift Fund." -Melissa Harris
"Molly and Patrick were born at 34 weeks and spent 20 days in the NICU. We were so lucky that they were born healthy, just a bit too too small to go home right away. It was a very stressful time, but the nurses and doctors, and especially the lactation consultant, at Alta Bates were top notch. I was so impressed by how the NICU was organized and managed. I always felt like I was getting the highest quality care for my kids. The nurses were incredibly supportive, nurturing, and knowledgeable. And even while going through my own hard times with my new babies, I realized how much I should count my blessings as I saw what other NICU families were going through. I lived 10 minutes away from the NICU and was so blessed to have strong family support. I can't imagine what it must be like for families who have to travel from far away to be with their children, or don't have the support I had. I have been waiting all year to be able to support the holiday fund and help other NICU families. It is the best way I can think of to give thanks for the care we received for our beautiful babies." -Jessica Russel, Mother of Molly and Patrick.
"Foxen Worthing is two and a half years old. He was born at Christmastime in 2008 at 30 weeks. We spent 52 days in the NICU, including Christmas and New Years. The tenderness and generosity that the nurses, doctors, staff, fellow NICU families, and the lovely chaplain showed to us every one of those days still brings tears of gratitude to my eyes. Today, gazing upon my sweet and strong and stubborn and sly toddler, I am still overcome with gratitude. The term "miracle" makes me a little unco mfortable, but I'm not sure if there is another that conveys what happens at the NICU. Superhuman grace and love and insight and patience is expressed through all these people: paid professionals just as much as the people they serve, and these tiny creatures, grasping at life, are nurtured to health by hundreds of hands and then delivered, ready for the world, to the arms of their wide-eyed parents. I contribute to the Holiday Gift Fund in hopes of passing on some of the tender loving care that was given so freely to our family when our preemie came as a Christmas surprise."
Dear family and friends,
We are back with the 3rd Annual “Loki Sky and his NICU Friends’ Holiday Fund” benefiting families at the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. We need your help now more than ever to help families, many of whom will spend their first Holiday Season with their new babies in the hospital.
This year we launch with a different target. We hope for the same amazing contributions as the past years, but this time we will donate the money to those who need it most. The economic downturn impacts many families. For them, the combination of having a sick baby in the hospital and their difficult financial situation often causes enormous stress. For example, spending much needed time with their babies increases the chance of losing a job. Some parents need to make a choice between spending money on transportation to the hospital to be with their baby, or between buying healthy food for their older children. Others are at risk of losing their baby at discharge because they lack the money to buy a crib or car seat, a requirement to bring one’s baby home. These are families who are otherwise very capable of providing a loving and home for their babies.
We ask you to help us help those families. We all were lucky with support from friends, family and even strangers. Together we can be those strangers. We can make a significant difference in the life of a NICU baby and their family.
How you can help:
Internet: Please go to http://www.paypal.com and use a credit card or Paypal account to send money to XXXX. Be sure to note "Holiday Fund" in the comments.
US: Please mail checks in name of: XXXX. Please write “Holiday Fund” in the memo.
NL: Maak geld over op rekening XXXX o.v.v. “Holiday Fund”
Deadline: Monday December 18th 2011
Delivery: Our check will be handed over to the Family Advisory Council during the Holidays. Photos and stories will be shared as usual.
Thank you very much for your help!
Sincerely,
Loki Sky and his NICU Friends
www.babylokisky.blogspot.com
It happened..... yesterday on Thursday December 23rd Team CA; Mascha and Amy, dropped by the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center NICU and handed out the books and gift cards we collected through the Loki Sky and his NICU Friends' Holiday Fund. In the mean while we, dad, Loki and myself, were celebrating Christmas a day early with our family in Indiana. Despite the Christmas cheer and children running around playing with their new toys, I couldn't help but have my mind drift off, now and then, to the NICU and the exciting event happening at the same time. Needless to say, I was eagerly awaiting report from Mascha and Amy.
As expected, they received many positive responses. Both families and nurses expressed their gratitude and several nurses mentioned last year's drive. Both Mascha and Amy expressed their excitement in being part of the drop off. As I remember from last year, it feels quite amazing to handout gifts and gift cards, knowing that it positively impacts a family going through a rough time.
The drive came and went, and my mind is already moving towards next year. We made it happen once, we made it happen twice, we will make it happen again.... my dream for the new year? Turning the Loki Sky and his NICU Friends' Holiday fund into a non-profit. Oh, think of all the possibilities this would add.....
Christmas 2008:
Christmas 2009:
Christmas 2010:
The girls before drop off, 2010
64 books and cards neatly wrapped by Mascha and ready to go....
Dear family, friends, friends of family, family of friends and perhaps even strangers,
We did it, we reached our goal of $1600 on the closing day of the Loki Sky and his NICU Friends' Holiday Fund. In fact, we almost doubled our initial goal with the $3000 we received from you. I don't think it will be easy to convey in a written message how incredibly grateful we are with the support we have received. Who would have dared to dream this?
With the money we were able to buy 64 $20 gift cards, 64 books, 14 $100 and 1 $50 gift card. Every family spending the Holidays at the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center NICU this year, will receive a gift card and a book accompanied by a letter from Loki and his Friends. Our California team, Mascha and Amy, will be handing out the gifts next week, many thanks to them for taking this on.
The larger gift cards will be handed out by the social workers at the NICU to families who are in need of extra financial support in order to buy a car seat, stroller, crib or other necessities to take care of their baby once they are home.
For those who intended to donate but have not yet had the chance to do so, please don't worry, we will continue to send the money towards the NICU to ensure families who need it most will receive the extra support.
For now I just want to say I am extremely pleased with the outcome and am looking forward to seeing and sharing pictures from our CA team this week! It would not have been possible without the 47 families and/or individuals deciding to donate, it would not have been possible with you! THANK YOU!
Loki Sky and his NICU Friends
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| Michael and Wagner, 25 weeks | Anna, 31 weeks |
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| Bennett, 31 weeks | Loki Sky, 24 weeks |
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| Foxen, 30 weeks | Gabriella and Alexandra, 24 and 25 weeks |
As some of you know we recently spent three days in the hospital with a sick boy. Nothing compared to the18 weeks after birth. Still, three days filled with worries, very little sleep and a very sad and miserable boy.
It made me realize even more how happy I am that, despite our transatlantic move and all the hectic it brings along, the Loki Sky and his NICU Friends’ Holiday Fund is happening again.
And how…
In October 2008 Loki Sky was born at 24 weeks gestation, weighing only 1 lb 5 oz (610 grams). Loki and his family “celebrated” the Holidays in the hospital. After three surgeries and four months in the hospital, Loki came home. Grateful for what the NICU meant to them, the family wanted to give something back. Remembering the warm notes from strangers and knit hats for Loki during the Holidays season, a Holiday gift drive was their means of sharing their gratitude. In 2009, Loki’s family and friends collected over $1500 in gift cards and many gifts, given as generous gift bags for each of the babies then in the Alta Bates NICU in Berkeley, California.
A small gesture truly can help a family through an incredibly difficult time.… We know!
A note From Loki’s family:
Dear Family and Friends,
Not only did you support us through two challenging years, you also helped us make the gift drive a huge success in 2009. Although two years seem a long time ago, it feels like yesterday to us that we spent the majority of our time bedside with Loki in the NICU. We will be forever grateful for the amazing support and medical care Loki received. This is our way to turn a challenging experience into a positive one. Can you help us honor Loki’s strength and his fight to survive his extreme premature birth by sending an uplifting gesture to a NICU family?
How you can help:
For this year’s drive we are collecting financial donations in order to purchase gift certificates from Babies R’ Us. With this card the family can buy the necessities to prepare for their baby’s homecoming. In addition, we will buy a small story book for each parent to enjoy with their baby. Anything helps, so please don’t be shy if a dollar is what you can spare. We are happy and grateful with any donation!
From the Internet:
Click this button and use a credit card or Paypal account to send money:
Loki Sky's Holiday Gift Drive was featured in Community Connection, the neighborhood newsletter of Alta Bates Summit Medical Center. Click for a larger version. Congratulations, Kat!
In 2008, we spent the holidays at the Alta Bates NICU with our beautiful boy Loki Sky. We were surrounded by the love of our family, friends and wonderful primary nurses. Regardless, those days were beyond challenging.
In 2009, we were able to handout 56 gift bags, approximately $1200 in gift cards for those in economically difficult circumstances, and 5 massage certificates at the Alta Bates NICU. We were only able to this with an incredible number of very generous donations from many people. We celebrated the Holidays as we had never done before.
We are still inspired!! In 2010 we want to do it again. Our goal is to collect enough money to buy a gift for each baby at the Alta Bates NICU. We still have time, but one can never start too early. We need your help!
If you wish to support a family in the NICU during the holidays in 2010, you can donate via Paypal. Note that you do not need a Paypal account, only a credit card:
Besides the gift and fund drive, this Christmas was very special because it was Loki's first holiday season at home. We all had a wonderful couple of days. On Christmas Eve, we delivered the gifts in the afternoon, and in the evening, a friend (and former colleague) of Mom and her family came over for dinner and some gift exchanging. It was crazy, as this included Mom, Loki, Rebecca, and I, and the family's two parents, twin two-year-old-girls, and the friend's mother.
On Christmas day, we started with some gifts, of course. We, especially Loki, got lots of wonderful gifts, and we are very grateful for all of them. The highlight was a Radio Flyer walker-wagon for Loki from Nana. We were joined by Freya and had a wonderful brunch at the apartment of Chris and Christine, who now live in our complex. Freya, Mom, Loki, Rebecca, and I then went to the Golden Gate Bridge, which was packed with families. Finally, we watched a Christmas-themed movie.
Below, photos first, video last. (Email subscribers: Here's the video link.)
Our tree and gifts:
Mom's friend on Christmas eve:
Her husband and one twin:
Twins:
Christmas morning, with finger in nose:
Thanks Nana!
On C & C's porch, joined by Freya, toasting the warm day with champagne (that's our building in the background):
California family Christmas:
Rebecca, Loki, and Dad:
Rebecca at the bridge with SF in the background:
Two pretty ladies, at sunset:
Christmas evening:
We forgot to mention that the Alta Bates NICO gave Mom a huge bouquet of flowers:
Loki's new game, "stick your tongue out" (from a few days ago):
In these four clips (1) Loki and Mom play, he points at things when asked (not always successfully), and enjoys the lamp; (2) he first meets his new wagon, and is a bit intimidated; (3) he dances to the music card from Nana and Papaw; (4) Loki dances again, with the wagon, and almost cries. It was a long day.
