Yashwini, Age 1 - Born at 26 weeks weighing one pound
Yashwini’s mother, Patsy, whose dreams of becoming pregnant took seven years to fulfill, went into preterm labor in the midst of planning her baby shower. She was only six months pregnant at the time.
A pediatrician herself, Patsy feared the worst, and unfortunately, her fears became reality. When she began bleeding unexpectedly, Patsy drove herself to a local community hospital, where physicians made the critical decision to transfer her to Westchester Medical Center. After careful monitoring of her labor at the Medical Center, Patsy gave birth to Yashwini—a micro-preemie who weighed a mere 1 pound, 11 ounces. Yashwini went on to receive advanced care at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital’s Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RNICU), the only one of its kind in the Hudson Valley and Fairfield County.
She spent four months in the RNICU battling complications with her heart and lungs. “There were three episodes where she literally stopped breathing,” says Patsy. “But the nurses came to the rescue.” Thanks to the expertise and timely medical care of RNICU physicians and nurses, Yashwini overcame her extreme prematurity. Yashwini’s father, Rajnish, also a doctor, says that since she was in the womb, Yashwini has been creating her own destiny. Her name in Hindi means to be successful in life. Now at age one, she loves to laugh, run, and say her first words!
To make a donation during the live Radiothon, the community can call (888) 499-5437 or make a secure, online donation at www.whud.com. Online donations are also being accepted prior to and during the event at events.westchestermedicalcenter.com/mfchradiothon. Also, community members interested in supporting Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital are welcome to visit the hospital’s lobby during the Radiothon. Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital is located on the Valhalla, New York campus of WMCHealth at 100 Woods Road.