11/18/2021
Happy Birthday Drew!
Twenty years ago today we were visiting my mother in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Janice's family was also in town in preparation for our early Thanksgiving feast. A few days prior Janice had her regular OBGYN appointment, and everything was on track for a January delivery date.
That evening while Janice was talking with my mom, she coughed and all “hell broke loose”. She was taken by ambulance to the local hospital and we realized that the ER was not equipped or had sufficient knowledge of what had occurred. With Drew still in utero, she was rushed to Geisinger Medical Center. Upon our arrival we quickly learned how dire the situation was for both Janice and Drew. The doctor cleared the room and said she should have been flown instead of transported by ambulance. For perspective, the hospitals are only about 20 minutes away by ambulance.
Drew was delivered by emergency C-Section and we would later learn that Janice had experienced placental abruption. About 15% of placental abruption result in the death of the baby. The next several days were touch and go for both Janice and Drew. Janice had experienced severe maternal hemorrhage and it was unclear what the long term ramifications were going to be for Drew. Janice was eventually discharged, and Drew would spend the next 30 days in the NICU. In December he was discharged and we were able to bring him home in time for Christmas. Megan was able to celebrate Christmas with her new brother!
During our 30 days in the NICU I saw first-hand mothers, and fathers who suddenly, without warning found themselves with a NICU baby. Many times the babies were flown from other hospitals to Geisinger. I saw the worry and stress that some of these families experienced trying to sort everything out (transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, etc) while their babies were often in critical condition. In 2015, I founded The Andrew Ryan Hess NICU Foundation (a 501c fund under the umbrella of the Foundation for Enhancing Communities).
Drew is now a sophomore at Duquesne University majoring in business. We have been blessed with no complications or health issues that can arise with premature babies.
In honor of his 20th birthday, I humbly ask for you to consider making a donation the fund.
The fund benefits the families of NICU babies at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Harrisburg Hospital UPMC and Penn State Hershey Medical Center.
You can donate using the link below or you can mail your (check) donation to The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, 200 N. 3rd Street, 8th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101. (Please memo: The Andrew Ryan Hess NICU Foundation).
On behalf of our entire family, thank you. We are truly blessed with wonderful family and friends.
Tiny miracles happen everyday!
https://www.tfec.org/funds/andrew-ryan-hess-nicu-foundation/
