Making a Difference
One Premature Baby At a Time
Our Mission:
The Gift of Life offers hope, encouragement, and support to the parents of premature babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Since 2015, more than…
Love Bears Given
Care Packages Sent
Preemie Hats Distributed
Families Supported
Did you know?
1 in 10 Babies in the World are Born Preterm
Even if your family isn’t a family we help, there’s a huge chance that someone you know was or has a premature baby.
Approximately 11.4% of all pregnancies result in a premature baby. This statistic remains almost the same across ethnicities, ranging from 8-13%. And 80% of premature births happen unexpectedly. Preemies are born in families of all socioeconomic statuses – it’s an issue that affects all communities.
The preemie community belongs to us all. The Gift of Life is here to champion the cause of any family where there’s a premature baby. We’re an organization by the parents of a preemie for all those who have a preemie in their lives that they love.
Some Common Causes of Premature Birth
- Trauma
- Stress
- Cervical Problems
- Genetics
- Short time between pregnancies
- Preeclampsia
- Multiple Pregnancy
- Malnutrition
- Poor Fetal Growth
- Fetal Distress
- Smoking
- Alcohol Consumption
- Drugs and Medications
- Placental Abruption
- Infection
- Air Pollution
“The causes of preterm labor and premature birth are numerous, complex, and only partly understood. Medical, psychosocial, and biological factors may all play a role in preterm labor and birth.” – National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Ways Having a Premature Baby Impacts Families
Emotional
The parents of a premature baby are more prone to depression, anxiety, and stress, even PTSD. These weigh heavier on them as the baby they hoped would be born healthy is now put at risk for long-term mental and phsycial disability.
Financial
As the March of Dimes reports, the cost of having a premature baby is $49,000 the first year. Depending on the baby’s health, the long-term cost can be several times greater. These are expenses most families could not forsee or budget for.
Physical
During and even after the NICU, preemies often need special care that goes beyond the demands of taking care of a full-term baby. Stress combined with lack of proper nutrition, sleep, and exercise makes the ordeal even harder on the parents’ health.
Social
Having a premature baby can isolate parents. It can be a lonely time when your home has to stay so germ-free that people no longer want to visit, or when you can’t find a babysitter qualified enough to manage your baby’s special needs while you’re away.
The NICU can be an emotionally-charged place full of uncertainty for the moms and dads of any premature baby.
The Gift of Life’s volunteer team show these families that they’re not alone and that there are people who care. All of our preemie parent mentors are people who’ve been where they are, made it through, and decided to give back. But continuity and reach of our programs depend on caring individuals like you.
What We Do in the Preemie Community
- Preemie Parent Mentoring
- Case Advocacy
- Support Groups
- Community Awareness
- NICU Ambassadors
- Love Bears
- Knit Preemie Hats
- Discharge Care Packages
- Grief Support
- International Outreach
- Educational Materials
“When an individual takes positive action, that resonates through life.”
Updates from The Preemie Blog
Catch up with our latest news, stories, and insights:
2015 Christmas in the NICU: A Touch of Friendship for Preemie Parents
Many people debate over what has become of the true meaning of Christmas. To the parents who have to spend this holiday in the NICU with their preemies, the joy of the season is something that might be missed. Hectic Christmas shopping and the tradition of giving presents are the aspects of this holiday that […]
Why You Should Join in on This December 22th Birthday Celebration
People tend to celebrate their own birthdays and those of their friends and family members – sometimes they even honor the birthdays of celebrities and historical figures. Rarely, however, does anyone participate in the celebration of someone they don’t know. We invite you to join in with us at the Gift of Life in wishing […]
It’s #GivingTuesday at The Gift of Life
It’s #GivingTuesday – a day to give to your charity of choice and to share stories about how the charity helped you or a loved one! Will you join by making a contribution to help our families of premature babies receive hope, encouragement and support while they are in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit? […]
