Eli's Story

 

The palm of your hand.

 

That’s how big Eli Mostowy was when he was born on March 6, 2014 at Winnipeg’s Women’s Hospital. He was about 4 months premature and weighed only 1lb, 7 oz.

 

Mother Judy and dad Michael were dismayed — and frightened. This was their first child and the prognosis was grim. Eli was rushed into intensive care and then transferred to the Children’s Hospital of Manitoba and its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This would be Eli’s home for 169 anxiety-filled days.  

 

Eli encountered hurdle after hurdle. He had ongoing respiratory distress and pneumonia. He was on ventilators, suffered lung collapses, and received multiple blood transfusions. Then, when he was 3 weeks old, Eli became septic. It was touch and go but Eli pulled through. His mother remembers how “. . . the staff at the Children’s Hospital took such good care of Eli. They did everything possible. And it was because of the hospital’s research programs, they knew the best medicines and treatment options he needed.”

 

Finally, Eli was discharged in August. He weighed 11lbs and his parents were overjoyed.   

 

Looking back, all Judy can say is thank goodness for the Children’s Hospital.  “We could not have asked for better care, both for Eli and for ourselves. The nurses were so good at explaining everything,” says a grateful Judy. “They answered our questions, helped us understand Eli’s progress and told us when he hit any new milestones. Those nurses treated him like their own child.” High praise indeed.

 

Dad Michael agrees and says they can never adequately express their gratitude. “Children’s Hospital had the technology to keep Eli alive. They make each child and their parents feel special. The hospital takes care of everybody.”

 

Today, Eli is an active toddler. He has made tremendous progress but should he hit a bump, his parents know that the Children’s Hospital of Manitoba will be there for them.

 

Want to help more children like Eli Mostowy?  A legacy gift may be just right for you. As his mother says, anyone considering a future gift to the hospital in their estate plans should “definitely do it! Legacy gifts are investments that will help save more children’s lives.” And what could be better than that?