All new grandmothers are anxious. Melva Deitt was especially anxious when her grandson arrived four weeks early.
Born at just 3 lbs 11 oz, Curtis Bucher was admitted to Magee’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) on September 11, 1989.
Once the family learned the baby was coming, the doctors warned that his lungs might be underdeveloped, a common fear of parents of premature babies. But Curtis’ dad was sure he was going to be fine when he heard his son yell loudly announcing his arrival. Curtis remained in the NICU for two weeks and came home weighing 4 lbs 4 oz.
To
the right: Curtis holds his baby photo as he thanks his grandmother for
her annual gifts to Magee's NICU, where he remained for two weeks after
being born.
The day Curtis was born not only marked another NICU success story, but the longest annual gift to Magee’s NICU - 17 years of gratitude for a healthy grandson.
Melva was so impressed with the staff and the exceptional care taken of Curtis while at Magee that she decided to make an annual donation to the NICU fund on Curtis’ birthday.
To the left: Curtis holds his baby photo as he thanks his grandmother for her annual gifts to Magee’s NICU.
Melva’s donations, plus advancements in technology, have helped improve the quality of care in Magee’s NICU. So much has changed since Curtis was born. Almost twenty years ago infants were in a “ward” setting and now each baby has his or her own “pod.” Magee’s state-of-art NICU offers a more intimate environment for babies and their families with 48 private rooms and a 15-bed open area, making it the largest single bay facility in the country.
Highly sensitive monitors, incubators, and even blood pressure cuffs small enough to fit around an adult pinky finger, are available for the over 1,400 premature and ill babies cared for at Magee every year. Due to Magee’s research and specialized care, families from throughout the tri-state area and beyond use Magee’s NICU.
“I feel my donations are going to the place that needs it most. I am so grateful for the care my grandson received while in the NICU. If it wasn’t for Magee, Curtis may not be here today - a recent high school graduate preparing to go to college,” Melva says tearfully.
“I’m really happy my grandmother cares so much about me to make an annual gift around my birthday. It means a lot,” shares Curtis.
While he may have entered the world a little smaller and earlier than most, he has certainly not missed anything. Curtis has been involved with baseball for 13 years, plays the alto saxophone, lacrosse, and has been a deck hockey goalie. He is also an avid bowler. Today, he is preparing to go to Penn State University and was accepted into the bioengineering program.
Magee-Womens Foundation thanks Melva’s long-lasting show of gratitude to the NICU. Providing a memorable annual commitment in this fast-paced, rapidly changing society is a commitment the NICU has come to rely on.
OUR COMMITMENT TO: Neonatology
OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIVING: Neonatal Intensive Care
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