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NANI - Noah's Ark NICU Foundation was founded in January 2018 by Maychelle Cooper-Rodney. The foundation is a family affair which was inspired by the birth of our son Noah Rodney. Noah was born 1lb 5 oz. He had a very challenging time to say the least. At one point, the doctor told us to plan his burial service. However, our faith in God superseded the recommendation of planning Noah's funeral. Especially since God promised us that Noah would be a special kid with a special place in this world. Noah's health began to improve day by day and he was eventually released from the hospital with very minor complications. It was a miracle that he was sent home without any medication and relatively healthy.
Although Noah came home with minor complications, we realized that there are many that don't share in that same experience. As a result, for many years Noah and our family have wanted to give back to others who are experiencing difficulties with their babies in the NICU's. This foundation is created to give back by assisting NICU families with financial and emotional support in order to show them that they are not alone. |
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Mission
NANI's mission is to provide supportive and financial services to the families of Neonatal Intensive Care Units within the Greater New Orleans Area Vision Ensure every NICU family have the necessary support, transportation and supplies in order to help reduce the complexities of having a baby in NICU while they face this difficult journey Value (N)urture. (A)dore. (N)ourish. (I)mprove. Support NANI Care Package |
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Maychelle Cooper-Rodney, MBA Founder and President
An Engineering Business Manager for 30 plus years in Corporate America. Married with 2 daughters (Kelsey and Kirsten) and ten years after having her youngest daughter, Maychelle conceived Noah who was 1 lb 5 oz, Raising young daughters, working in Corporate America and going back and forth daily to the NICU to see Noah was very challenging as parents. It was also very rewarding because each day proved to be more exciting as we saw Noah make progress while at other times it appeared he took several steps backwards. The fact that my daughters were too young to go in the NICU to see their brother was very hurtful and something that was difficult to explain. The day the doctor told us to plan Noah's burial was even more difficult and was one of the worst days of our lives. However, as faith would have it Noah eventually got better. Noah came home with no meds and no major medical issues. Our family was elated but realized that there were other families who were not so lucky. Some went home on meds while others never got a chance to go home. Either way, I saw first hand how difficult and costly it was to travel daily to the hospital, have food available, find preemie clothing and yearn for support.
As a result, I decided to start a non-profit agency NANI - Noahs Ark NIcu Foundation to support families and their NICU babies financially and emotionally. This experience has touched my entire family in one way or another which is why we, as a family, decided to join forces to make this foundation as successful as possible in an effort to show the families of NICU babies that you are not alone. My oldest daughter, Kelsey is now in Medical School since being inspired by her little brother's story and Kirsten is a freshman in college with Doctoral aspirations.
Although Noah is now 11 years old and extremely smart with little or no signs of being born prematurely, we as a family know that it is only befitting that we give back to others who are dealing with this beautiful yet challenging way of welcoming a premature baby into this world.
As a result, I decided to start a non-profit agency NANI - Noahs Ark NIcu Foundation to support families and their NICU babies financially and emotionally. This experience has touched my entire family in one way or another which is why we, as a family, decided to join forces to make this foundation as successful as possible in an effort to show the families of NICU babies that you are not alone. My oldest daughter, Kelsey is now in Medical School since being inspired by her little brother's story and Kirsten is a freshman in college with Doctoral aspirations.
Although Noah is now 11 years old and extremely smart with little or no signs of being born prematurely, we as a family know that it is only befitting that we give back to others who are dealing with this beautiful yet challenging way of welcoming a premature baby into this world.
PO BOX 740822
New Orleans, LA 70174
New Orleans, LA 70174
MAIN: (504) 208-9441
NOAHSNANIFOUNDATION@GMAIL.COM
2017 PREMATURE BIRTH REPORT CARDS
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The preterm birth rate in the United States has increased for the second year, rising 2 percent to 9.8 percent in 2016. This year’s Report Card also reveals major racial/ethnic and geographic disparities signifying that babies have a higher chance of a preterm birth based simply on race and ZIP code.
Research By: March of Dime ORG
"March of Dime Report Card” |
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Noah's Ark NICU Foundation Featured Baby:
Khloe Heyward
2 pounds 9OZ
