From the NICU to new beginnings: How Emmeline’s story is helping future preemies thrive at WRHN
Patient Story
John Baker remembers the chaos and worry that permeated the first moments after his daughter, Emmeline, was born at Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) nearly a decade ago.
At more than seven weeks premature, Emmeline needed extra care and support while her tiny body continued to develop.
But before nurses wheeled her off to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) where she’d spend the next three weeks, John got a moment to hold his first child.
And when she extended her hand to wrap around his finger, he knew then she was going to be alright – and that she was in the right place to get the care she needed.
“I can’t think of anything that, as a new parent, causes you more anxiety than knowing your child’s not doing well in their very first moments,” John says. “But the staff in the NICU cared for Emmeline like she was their own.
It was truly exceptional to go from that nightmare scenario to such a supportive and collaborative experience.
Emmeline, now nine years old, is thriving. She’s doing well in school, enjoying time with friends and has recently discovered a passion for skiing, dance, and karate.
She’s doing all the things a nine-year-old child should be doing, John says.
"That’s a testament to the doctors and nurses at WRHN who made sure she got off to a great start in life."
Gratitude that keeps giving
John, who founded the Kitchener-based learning innovation company D2L as a 22-year-old University of Waterloo student, has given back to the NICU at WRHN @ Midtown (formerly Grand River Hospital) before.
His gift started with Emmeline’s Closet, an initiative that helped NICU parents by supplying them with often hard to find preemie-sized outfits to take their child home in.
This year, John wanted to do much more.
In honour of World Prematurity Day on Nov. 17, John is adding a dollar to every $2 dollars a community member donates to the NICU, with a goal of raising $240,000 to fund much-needed equipment and additional NICU beds.
Donations will help WRHN Foundation secure items including top-of-the-line incubators, phototherapy lights, feeding syringe pumps, cardiorespiratory monitors, milk warmers, and more.
Adding more NICU beds means keeping care close to home for many families – limiting sleepless nights in hospital waiting rooms hours away, and giving parents and their fragile babies more opportunities for bonding, healing, and hope.
Patricia Blancher, Program Manager of the Children’s and Childbirth Programs at WRHN, says the demand for NICU beds in Waterloo Region continues to outpace availability. The shortage not only delays critical care but separates families during the most vulnerable times.
“Expanding local NICU capacity means more babies can receive lifesaving treatment close to home, surrounded by the love and support of their families,” Patricia says.
No one expects to need a NICU — but when they do, they should be able to count on access, compassion, and care right here in our community.
When innovation meets compassion
As a tech giant in Kitchener-Waterloo’s innovation industry, John’s D2L already works with healthcare centres across the globe, offering software that supports staff learning and patient care.
With WRHN – and a new hospital building in the future – John sees a big opportunity for others in tech to champion healthcare locally.
“There's a lot of work to be done, and I think if healthcare and technology sectors can work together to solve big challenges, that's going to be a game-changer,” he says.
Imagine the tremendous impact we can have on improving patient care by working together.
For John, giving back to the NICU at WRHN was an easy decision. With his pledge to personally top up donations, he’s hoping the community can come together to add fuel to the funding efforts.
“I’ve been very fortunate to be able to give in a way that can impact parents. But, I’m just one piece of this,” he says. “I’ll be very grateful for anyone who is moved to donate because of my story, or because of their own experiences in the NICU."
Our preemie babies need and deserve the best possible equipment to get them off to the best possible start. So, let’s come together and help them.
This Giving Tuesday, your gift will go further in support of the NICU.
WRHN's NICU cares for more than 850 babies per year.
