Sponsor Spotlight on Noah's "Hope" Foundation
3/16/2010
The Noah Angelici Hope Foundation was founded in remembrance of Noah Angelici and to help others like him. Noah and his twin brother Jackson developed a rare disorder before birth, Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS), resulting in several blood vessels connecting the twins. This condition required a unique and lifesaving fetal surgery performed by only a few surgeons worldwide. After birth, Noah bravely fought for 2 1/2 years before it eventually claimed his life in December of 2007.
Our Mission
Our mission is to honor Noah Angelici’s life with the dedication of his foundation to support research towards the diagnoses, treatment and education of Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome. While doing so, we will strive to provide support and HOPE to the families and babies effected with this rare condition as well as those who have went through a tragic loss.
What we HOPE
Because Noah lived we will honor his life as advocates with our hard work and dedication and let his journey live on through the blessings of his love.
Noah's Story
After hearing the good news that Jennifer and Adam were expecting, the journey of Noah’s life began by me telling my mother that I didn’t feel very well. My husband Adam and I phoned Dr. Simmonds, my OBGYN, who brought us in for an emergency ultrasound. Immediately, we were all concerned. However, I came home to tell my mom it was okay and pulled out an ultrasound picture. “Awe,” and then came, “Surprise!” Not one, but two babies! But the second one was is a little smaller. And thus, the doctor asked us to come back in a week to do an extensive ultrasound to see what might be going on. They discovered that the boys had a rare disorder, Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome, only found in identical twins. A syndrome, which in most cases is life threatening. Baby A (Jackson) and Baby B (Noah) began a journey in their mother’s womb; a journey, which included a special surgery only preformed by a few doctors in our country. To even qualify for this lifesaving surgery, one must have the perfect portion of amniotic fluid in each baby’s sac. Thankfully they did and off to Tampa, Florida to have laser surgery by Dr. Ruben Quintero of St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital. The surgery went well; however, contractions began and I was detained for days trying to control the contractions and get to a safe point to make the return trip home. I spent the entire pregnancy at bed rest with two to three ultrasounds per week and echo’s twice a week by Dr. Sherman. My pregnancy was monitored very closely. Prayers went out continuously with the hopes that the boys could grow healthy within the womb. At 24 weeks, Baby B (Noah) developed an enlarged heart. They thought the journey was over at this point and a team of doctors met to decide the next steps. One doctor elected to induce labor and deliver the boys, one elected to wait for Baby B (Noah) to pass and then deliver Baby A (Jackson). However, the other twelve doctors in the symposium decided to let nature take its course and monitor the remaining weeks of pregnancy ever so closely. We believed in a miracle and at 35 weeks, the time had come for the boys to meet their mom and dad, their family and all of the doctors who cared for them. It was time for them to conquer the world.
The world to Noah was heart surgery, lung surgery, constant oxygen, a feeding tube, Magee Hospital’s NICU, Children’s Hospital’s NICU, CICU, PICU, IICU, The Children’s Home Transitional Infant Care mixed with brief stays at home with the love of his twin brother Jackson and family.
Noah’s life journey was amongst numerous avenues in the medical arenas after birth. Dr. Frederick Sherman, who monitored and cared for Noah’s heart in the womb was a very important part of our Noah’s life. The entire family will always be grateful to have a doctor that brought comfort to our daily anguish with Noah’s courageous fight for 2 ½ years of his life.
We are blessed to have Noah forever in our hearts, and because he lived, there will be families and children who will receive his blessings of HOPE.