Jessica Bartlett

Our son Beau was born 10 weeks premature in January of 2025, weighing just 2.5 pounds. He spent 70 long, challenging days in the St. Mary’s NICU, in collaboration with Cardinal Glennon. Those days were incredibly heavy for Andy and me. Every single morning, we walked into the hospital praying for just a tiny bit of progress.

The emotional toll of the NICU is something you can never truly prepare for. It is heartbreaking to look at the empty crib next to your bed at night, feeling the deep ache of leaving your newborn behind. It was incredibly difficult to need permission just to hold, feed, change, or soothe our own child. I had to wait 24 hours just to hold Beau for the very first time.

Yet, we were never alone in that darkness. The hospital staff became our absolute lifelines and helped us cope in ways we didn't know we needed. From the brilliant doctors to the compassionate custodial team, every single person treated Beau like their own.

The nurses didn't just provide medical care; they mothered him when I couldn't be there. Because of their profound dedication, love, and warmth, we found a sense of true peace. Walking out of those hospital doors each evening was painful, but we went home completely at ease knowing he was safe, loved, and fiercely protected through the night. That peace of mind is what allowed us to actually sleep, recharge, and take care of ourselves.

We could not have survived this journey without our hospital heroes. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for bringing our boy home. 🩵

We are looking back with so much gratitude as we support the 2026 March of Dimes campaign. We are raising funds to ensure this incredible hospital staff can continue their excellence in care. Every dollar helps provide the same life-saving support, love, and peace of mind to the next family who finds themselves in the exact position we were in in 2025. Please consider donating to our link below to help protect the tiniest fighters and the heroes who care for them.