Sunday, March 1, 2009

Swaddled with Love

Recently two friends very dear to me have had babies born with little hearts. They were born with a condition known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Essentially these infants are born without use of the left ventricle, the chamber that performs the essential functions of receiving oxygenated blood from the lungs and then pumping it out to the body.


My friend Liz lost her little baby Jake after a few precious weeks and a very valiant fight. St. Joseph's Hospital has an incredible unit designed to help support these special infants and their families. One of the neat things that they do is give soft, minky blankets to the babies. With all of the hospital equipment. and at times because of the tenuous condition of the infants their families aren't able to hold their precious baby. It provides comfort to baby and family to have this soft, special, nurturing blanket. At times, this special soft blanket is the major comfort and nurturing item amidst the entourage of wires. Baby Jake's mom is raising funds to make more of these blankets in hopes of sharing the loving comfort she experienced during those tender moments of her son's life.
My best friend from nursing school delivered Ethan February 18 and he also has this heart condition. He has just had his first surgery of 3 to make the needed conversions of his heart.
He is still in St. Joseph's as he continues to improve from his first surgery and travels this essential surgical path that will enable him to go home with his loving family. The picture above is little Ethan. I would appreciate it if you could remember baby Ethan in your prayers.
Doesn't he just have the cutest little foot you have ever seen?
I know these are very difficult financial times, but Jake's mother made a plea for even $5 to help make these special blankets. She asked if we could add this request to our blogs to get the word out for their project. Liz, her family, and church friends will help her make the blankets. Let's all see what we can do to help. Their deadline is March 8th.

edennison78@yahoo.com with questions
You can address the donations to:

Bishop Anderson
Summerfield Ward (purpose: Jakey's Blankies)
2791 E Los Alamos Ct
Gilbert, AZ 85295

Make checks payable to: Summerfield Ward
This does meet tax deductable criteria for charitable donations.

Thank You!

5 comments:

John and Lisa said...

Sweet tribute, Wendy. I've been amazed at how many beautiful little babies have been born with heart defects recently. It has brought an awareness that I never had before. Thanks for the info on the blankets.

Anonymous said...

We will pray for baby Ethanand his family. We'll see you today or tomorrow to help with the blankets--what a great idea. TuTu

Kim said...

that was very nicely written. What a horrible thing to have to bear. It's nice that we feel like we can actually do something like this. Somehow it eases the hurt a little less! I hope your feeling better.

Kim said...

that was very nicely written. What a horrible thing to have to bear. It's nice that we feel like we can actually do something like this. Somehow it eases the hurt a little less! I hope your feeling better.

Greg and Heidi said...

Beautiful post Wendy! Thank you for your love, support, and prayers. Also thank you for your generous gifts.
Much love-
Heidi