Sunday, September 15 is National NICU Nurse Appreciation Day
Connecticut Mom Becomes NICU Nurse After Premature Birth of her Daughter
Twelve years ago, April Boccasile of Suffield, and her husband Aaron, spent months sitting at the bedside of their daughter, Isabella, born 14 weeks too soon at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford. An unexpected early birth after the healthy, full-term delivery of their oldest child, Max, they watched their daughter, who weighed just one pound 12 ounces at birth, slowly gain strength and weight (“after walking in the shadow of death,” said April). After four months in the neonatal intensive care unit, Isabella was finally able to join her family at home.
“With Isabella we went into the NICU totally blind sided, we had never met anyone that had a premature baby,” said April. “We took things day by day praying that she would survive. Today, she is healthy and strong. She fought the fight of her life and nothing is going to get in the way of anything she wants to accomplish. ”
In the NICU, the Boccasile’s learned about the March of Dimes, a national organization with the mission to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. They quickly became involved as local Ambassadors, sharing their story and fundraising at events such as March for Babies.
“We credit surfactant, a therapy developed with March of Dimes funding, for helping to save her life. It helped mature and strengthen her lungs,” April continued. “There is nothing more important to us than to give back and to raise awareness about preterm birth and infant death by educating others that it can be prevented and has to be,” said April.
While volunteering gave April an important outlet, she often thought back to her days sitting bedside, fascinated by the doctors and nurses who were working so hard to support the needs of the critically ill patients in their care. An elementary teacher by trade, April made the decision to return to school with the goal of receiving her nursing degree to become a nurse in the NICU.
April gave birth to their third child, daughter Ava, in 2002 and received her nursing degree in 2006. She now works in the NICU at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford.
“I am now a NICU nurse because I am so grateful for the care that Isabella received. I couldn't imagine doing anything else,” said April.
The dedication of NICU nurses everywhere once again impacted their family in the spring of 2011, when their daughter Lily was also born too soon but was too early to survive. In tribute to their daughter, April launched a blog, Lily’s Amazing Grace, to support parents after a loss.
“April’s dedication to not only her patients, but to the families as well, is what makes her so incredibly special,” said Leigh-Anne Lefurge, director of communications for the March of Dimes Connecticut Chapter. “Our organization works with NICU nurses closely and we’re constantly amazed with their knowledge, courage and compassion. It has been a unique opportunity to watch April’s journey over the years, and to now see her at the bedside of other families. She knows what they are going through because she has walked in their shoes.”
Sunday, September 15th is National NICU Nurse Appreciation Day, and to April and all the NICU nurses working so hard in hospitals around Connecticut and the country, the March of Dimes says thank you for your dedication and support to babies and their families in times of need.
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Connecticut Mom Becomes NICU Nurse After Premature Birth of her Daughter
Twelve years ago, April Boccasile of Suffield, and her husband Aaron, spent months sitting at the bedside of their daughter, Isabella, born 14 weeks too soon at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford. An unexpected early birth after the healthy, full-term delivery of their oldest child, Max, they watched their daughter, who weighed just one pound 12 ounces at birth, slowly gain strength and weight (“after walking in the shadow of death,” said April). After four months in the neonatal intensive care unit, Isabella was finally able to join her family at home.
“With Isabella we went into the NICU totally blind sided, we had never met anyone that had a premature baby,” said April. “We took things day by day praying that she would survive. Today, she is healthy and strong. She fought the fight of her life and nothing is going to get in the way of anything she wants to accomplish. ”
In the NICU, the Boccasile’s learned about the March of Dimes, a national organization with the mission to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. They quickly became involved as local Ambassadors, sharing their story and fundraising at events such as March for Babies.
“We credit surfactant, a therapy developed with March of Dimes funding, for helping to save her life. It helped mature and strengthen her lungs,” April continued. “There is nothing more important to us than to give back and to raise awareness about preterm birth and infant death by educating others that it can be prevented and has to be,” said April.
While volunteering gave April an important outlet, she often thought back to her days sitting bedside, fascinated by the doctors and nurses who were working so hard to support the needs of the critically ill patients in their care. An elementary teacher by trade, April made the decision to return to school with the goal of receiving her nursing degree to become a nurse in the NICU.
April gave birth to their third child, daughter Ava, in 2002 and received her nursing degree in 2006. She now works in the NICU at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford.
“I am now a NICU nurse because I am so grateful for the care that Isabella received. I couldn't imagine doing anything else,” said April.
The dedication of NICU nurses everywhere once again impacted their family in the spring of 2011, when their daughter Lily was also born too soon but was too early to survive. In tribute to their daughter, April launched a blog, Lily’s Amazing Grace, to support parents after a loss.
“April’s dedication to not only her patients, but to the families as well, is what makes her so incredibly special,” said Leigh-Anne Lefurge, director of communications for the March of Dimes Connecticut Chapter. “Our organization works with NICU nurses closely and we’re constantly amazed with their knowledge, courage and compassion. It has been a unique opportunity to watch April’s journey over the years, and to now see her at the bedside of other families. She knows what they are going through because she has walked in their shoes.”
Sunday, September 15th is National NICU Nurse Appreciation Day, and to April and all the NICU nurses working so hard in hospitals around Connecticut and the country, the March of Dimes says thank you for your dedication and support to babies and their families in times of need.
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
