For one Chestermere family the reality of the resource stretched neonatal intensive care units located within the region is all too familiar. That’s because 7 years ago, in 2008 they welcomed the newest member of their family to the world an incredible 16 weeks earlier than expected.
Mary Jarvis was a wife and mother of three young daughters when she went into labor with her first son, Chance. “I was 24 weeks pregnant when Chance was born and the doctors gave him only a 50/50 odds of survival which is pretty good because just 20 years ago that would have been unheard of” says Mary.
“I was told that if Chance had been born one day earlier there would not have been room for us in Calgary NICU’s and I could have been sent to either B.C. or Montana” explains Mary. “People don’t realize how many premature and sick babies are being born or the amount of work that is put into each bed – it’s really incredible.”
Chance spent an agonizing 5 months in Foothills Hospital while he slowly grew stronger each day. Mary and her husband Chad along with their three daughters visited the hospital regularly to spend as much time together as a family with Chance until he was finally well enough to go home.
Today, Chance is a vibrant and active hockey player and Grade 1 student, “I am so thankful that he cannot remember anything from back then because what he had to go through was really tough to watch” comments Mary.
Brooklyn, Mary’s oldest daughter, was 8 years old at the time her brother was born and recalls it well. “I remember seeing all the little babies that just came into the world and were already struggling” says Brooklyn, who is now 15 years old. “It was really scary.”
That is why Brooklyn has signed up to participate in this year’s Sport Chek Mother’s Day Run, Walk and Ride on May.10 at Calgary’s Chinook Centre shopping mall. She has set a goal to raise $500 toward the charity event, with proceeds supporting the Neonatal Intensive Care Units at the Foothills Medical Centre, Rockyview General Hospital, Peter Lougheed Centre and South Health Campus.
Brooklyn’s two sisters, Paige (13yrs) and Tess (11yrs) along with Chance (7yrs), their Mom & Dad as well as Grandma Vivian will be joining Brooklyn on the course. They all agree that they have so much to be thankful for and want to do what they can to give back for all they received.
“Foothills was such a great place for us during that time, it was my second home and we were so lucky” said Mary, “We are very fortunate to have the best – people come from all over the world to work at these hospitals and that’s why this fundraiser is so important.”
“The equipment needed to keep these babies alive is so vital – they are learning more all the time about how to deliver quality care for infants and micro preemies like Chance.”
Brooklyn is excited to tie up her shoe laces and hit the streets for the 5 km run to support other families that will go through what her family went through, but she still needs help to reach her fundraising goal.
To pledge Brooklyn Jarvis, visit the website for the Sport Chek Mother’s Day Run, Walk & Ride at www.mdrunwalkride.com , choose “Calgary” then “Make a Pledge” and search for her by name.
