Nikki Lorino

Cogan and Dean were born at 29 weeks and 1 day gestation weighing 2#14.4 oz and 3#1.5 oz respectively.

The next 46 days were a rollercoaster of emotion. We spent our days traveling back and forth to the hospital, spending time with big brother Lukin, and anxiously awaiting the magical time when we could bring our boys home and be a family of 5 under one roof.

Even though I've  worked in Women and Infants services for 25 years and have even staffed shifts in the NICU, it was during Cogan and Dean’s stay that our family truly connected with just how magical NICU nurses are. They were our eyes and ears and hands and hearts when we were not at the bedside. They celebrated our tiniest victories with snapshots and souvenirs, and worked through our fears when the unknown seemed too scary to process.  They empowered us to participate in their cares, taking temperatures and changing diapers, giving baths and kangarooing our tiny boys for hours on end.
 

Our story has the happiest of endings when, after 46 days and very few setbacks, we left the hospital with our healthy boys and a lifetime of memories connected to our stay. To this day, Cogan and Dean include the NICU in our prayer song and we talk about what life was like when our hearts lived in two places.

This year, I am proud to serve as the 2026 March for Babies Chair for our Milwaukee event! What motivated us to get involved with the March for Babies  is the incredible way that March of Dimes advocates, champions, and connects for all moms and all babies. We had a tremendous amount of education and support before, during, and after our experience. What we love about March of Dimes is the way that they actively engage in the direct support of NICU families that may not have the same opportunities as our family has had. 

While prematurity can affect any baby, we know that there are increased risks and health disparities in our communities. March of Dimes’ commitment to decrease the health equity gap gives me hope that all babies born at Ascension-St. Joseph have the same chances to a best start that our boys had through quality prenatal care and education.  And when things don’t go according to plan despite our best efforts, March of Dimes is committed to supporting families experiencing challenging beginnings and devastating losses. 

We are so grateful to each and every one of you for your participation and support of the March for Babies. Whether your personal motivation comes from a place of gratitude or grief, we are proud to be coming together to support such an amazing organization.