April is HIE Awareness Month, and the Champions are raising funds to increase awareness, research, and support through Hope for HIE, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and families impacted by this condition. About two in every 1,000 full-term births will be affected by HIE every year. Neonatal encephalopathy, which HIE is the leading cause of, is the 2nd leading cause of infant mortality worldwide.

Preston was diagnosed with HIE at birth, after experiencing brain damage from lack of oxygen during delivery. HIE can result in developmental delays and intellectual disabilities, depending on how the brain responds to the damage. We were incredibly fortunate to have life-changing medical care close to home, where Preston could quickly get the support he needed within hours of being born. He received cooling therapy for 72 hours, the only proven treatment for HIE in newborns.

This treatment requires specialized care and equipment, which is exactly why Hope for HIE is so important to us- they are on the forefront of research partnerships to bring scientific advancement to HIE intervention. We want to help support more research into HIE treatments, and get more families access to cooling therapy that only some NICUs have today.

Today, Preston is a vibrant almost- 2 year old. He loves dancing, bubbles, and pointing out airplanes. He graduated from all Physical Therapy services in December and is currently receiving weekly Occupational and Speech Therapies. We are so proud of how far he’s come and love to watch our guy grow!