Jackpott presents New Twin Family gift basket to local NICU June 15, 2010

It was my honor today to present a “new twin family gift basket” to Lisa Lammons, RNC-NIC BSN, Manager, Newborn Intensive Care at Wolfson Children’s Hospital here in Jacksonville, FL on behalf of Jackpott, (Jacksonville Parents Of Twins and Triplets) on Tuesday afternoon, June 15, 2010.

The gift basket was presented in JackPott member Jessica Martinez’s name. Jessica was the winner of a drawing for a free copy of TWINS x 3 last Tuesday at the June 8th Jackpott meeting, and to have the basket presented to the NICU in her name as a representative of all the Jackpotts! All who attended the last meeting will remember that First Coast News (NBC, Channel 12) covered the early parts of the meeting capturing some great footage of twin babies, expectant moms and many more of your smiling faces!

Lisa Lammons, along with hospital social workers, will choose the family that they decide would most benefit from our gift. Our goal is to welcome them into fold of twin families and ensure them that we’re here for their support, encouragement, camaraderie, information and lots of good social fun with us other local parents of multiples!

My second and third sets of twins were born at Baptist Medical Center, downtown Jacksonville, and they each were “residents” of the adjoining Wolfson Children’s Hospital’s NICU. I believe that they were in the absolute BEST care, and I also believe that each of the nurses who care for the babies there have invisible wings and halos. Truly, they’re angels on earth.

Lastly, a very special thanks to Elizabeth Bernardo (Jackpott president), Kelly Emilio, and all the other Jackpott members for welcoming me to your last meeting with open arms!

God bless,

Fran

Children’s Miracle Network June 11, 2010

1998 CMN Telethon, UF/Shands, Gainesville, FL (Kathryn (r), our "champion child")

I hold a very special place in my heart for the Children’s Miracle Network. In 1997, when she was two and a half years old, my daughter Kathryn was nominated by her doctor as a “champion child” for the CMN when she underwent the first “PDA Coil Closure” procedure performed at the UF/Shands Hospital in Gainesville, FL. Her pediatric cardiologist had perfected the procedure out west shortly before joining the staff at Shands, and Kathryn became his first surgical patient, repairing her Patent Ductus Arteriosus. A PDA is a prematurity-caused condition where the pulmonary artery’s ductus (open prenatally, but which should close at birth) remains open. Kathryn ran the risk of heart infection if this condition hadn’t been resolved. During the coil closure procedure, a small coil is fed up into the pulmonary artery through an artery and vein in her groin via catheter, where the coil was placed into the opened valve instantly, completely and permanently closing the ductus. Prior to this procedure, this condition was resolved by a more invasive surgical procedure.

The following year, our family was privileged to join other families with children who’s illnesses or injuries were treated at Shands (a University of Florida, Childrens Miracle Network Hospital) as we all were part of the 1998 CMN Telethon in Gainesville, televised nationally.

Children’s Miracle Network raises millions of dollars to help fund procedures such as the one our Kathryn underwent. Perhaps you know a child who has benefited with the help of the CMN.

Please support Children’s Miracle Network today … child will need them tomorrow!

Blessings,

Fran Pitre