Wednesday, March 10, 2010

NICU benefit

 

Every year the Boston Red Sox host a dinner and sell tickets to donate to the NICU that Nolan was in. The best part about it is the dinner takes place on the spring training field with the Red Sox players there for autographs and stuff. So we HAD to go, it was Chris' favorite team and all the money went to Nolan's NICU.


All 850,000 raised!


We also brought along 2 of our close friends who hold the Red Sox near and dear to their heart.


In 2007 a co-worker found out she was expecting a baby boy with a heart defect. They chose to fly to Boston to have a procedure done in utero. The procedure was unable to be completed and they were told they could return to Ft Myers. They chose instead to stay in Boston since that hospital is one of t he BEST in the country for fetal heart defects. In May 2007, baby Eli was born. Eli was a beautiful baby boy who melted all our hearts back home. His mom updated on carepages everyday with Eli's surgeries, obstacles and and shared her baby with all of us. While they were in Boston, the NICU encouraged them to go to some Boston Red Sox games, so they did... many times. They were new found Boston Red Sox fans because of Eli.


Come July, Eli's infection won the battle and he went to be with the lord. I remember reading her story although I didn't know her as well and felt so touched by Eli. They continued to follow the Red Sox because that was Eli's team and reminded them of their baby boy. Low and behold, the Red Sox won the World Series that year. Amazing huh?

Anyways, as soon as I found out about this NICU benefit I just HAD to call her up and invite them. They already go to almost EVERY spring training game so I knew they would be up for this.

We had a blast and you can tell how much the Sox means to them. It's kind of like her anchor, make sense?

Well, tonight they had a silent auction and one of the autographed balls was signed by Lester. She just HAD to have this ball... why?...


Lester pitched a "no hitter" at the game that fell on Eli's 1st Birthday. I am so happy to announce, she WON that ball!

I had a blast with you J, and I am so glad I have had your shoulder to cry on and your words to pick me up the past 9 months. You are such a gem of a friend and a 'sister' in such a special heart aching way.

Thank You.

10 comments:

Eco-Friendly and Frugal said...

Sounds like you guys had a lot of fun! I see Outback hostes it... did you get any Bloomin' Onoins? :) And that's such a great thing the Red Sox are doing! I've always been a fan of theirs whenever they were playing the Yankees. Haha!

jamie said...

I am glad you guys had a good time - and your blue coach bag is A-MAZING! I love how much the Sox do for charity up in Boston too - of course being from Boston I love everything the Sox do :)

Way to go for your friend winning the Lester ball - that was such a great game with such special meaning to her.

Sounds like a great night!

Maggie said...

I'm sooo jealous! I love the Red Sox. I was born and raised a huge fan.

Lisette said...

Wow, that sounds like such a great event. I am glad you had fun. Your friend sounds like a wonderful person and her story sounds so touching. God bless.

Bluebird said...

Super, super cool.

Maggie said...

Sounds like a lot of fun! XO

The Blue Sparrow said...

Aww that is so awesome that she won "Eli's" ball! Glad you guys had a great time!

Anonymous said...

The Red Sox are very generous....being from New England myself. It sounds like an amazing event.

kanishk said...

I've always been a fan of theirs whenever they were playing the Yankees.
Work From Home

Anonymous said...

Tell Chris he resembles Terry Francona the way he's leaned up on the fence in the dugout!