My Miracle | Why I'm Running for New York-Presbyterian

My parents remember the details much better than me, but I have heard the story so many times I feel as if I was there – WAIT! I was there, I just couldn’t see as much from inside the womb (LOL!). It wasn’t until years later, I learned that I was a true Medical Miracle thanks to the outstanding care of the doctors and nurses at New York-Presbyterian. I am eternally grateful for the impact the NYP medical team has had on my life and now it’s my turn to show my support and embark on the greatest physical challenge of my life.

Mom’s water broke the morning of December 30th, 1994, 29 weeks into her pregnancy. My parents raced to the local hospital and by 11:30am my mom was in an ambulance headed to (formerly known as) Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in NYC. It was the closest hospital with a Level III NICU and the doctors knew I would need the highest level of critical care. Clearly, I was ready to "get a head start on life." My family was freaking out and when my dad asked the doctor if my mom needed to go home and rest, the doctor replied, “this baby is going to be born today."  I was born at 7:30pm on December 30th, 11 weeks early and weighing ~2.75lbs. I was so small, my skin was almost transparent, my organs were underdeveloped, I fit in my mom's hand, and her wedding band was too big to wear as a bracelet.  My early weeks were spent in the NICU on oxygen, connected to monitors and fighting to stay alive. I graduated from the NICU ~3 months later around my original March 1995 due date when the doctors concluded that I was healthy enough to go home. My parents were a bit hesitant but my neonatologist said "Gabriella is ready to go home, don't be afraid, enjoy her." 

My early years were filled with endless follow-up visits. My care team became our family, who will forever hold a special place in my heart.  These doctors are leaders in their field and provide care with great compassion. My care team, along with my family, believed in me even before I could understand what it meant to believe in oneself.  Nearly twenty-nine years later I still see a few of my doctors - the visits feel equivalent to seeing an old friend, and end with a big hug. 

I am forever grateful to NYP for funding research and medicine that saved my life 28 years ago. Thanks to all the "amazing things happening here", babies born as early as 22-23 weeks now have a high chance of survival. 

It is because of NYP that I have been given the opportunity to live life to the fullest.  It is my honor to give back and line up on November 5th and represent Team NYP. All donations will go directly to New York-Presbyterian's Alexandra Cohen Hospital for Women and Newborns which is exclusively dedicated to the unique healthcare needs of pregnant patients and their newborn babies. Home to leading physicians, surgeons and specialists, the facility offers a full range of services women and infants may need before, during, and after childbirth; including specialized prenatal care and one of the most advanced neonatal intensive care units in the country.

Thank you for your generosity. NYP..."stay amazing" and Team NYP - I hope to make you proud!

All My Love,

Gabriella (Grabs)