On Wednesday 1st March 2017, Sammi, Chris, Evie and Isla, had their lives turned upside down.

The 5th addition to the Rosa family, Elsie Violet Rosa, made a rather dramatic entrance into the world 14 weeks prematurely, weighing just 750grms and 23cm long.

Elsie, at 26 weeks gestation, fought all the odds, she was breathing, fighting and surviving. A true miracle.

Despite a long journey ahead and thanks to the love and dedication of Elsie’s family and the staff at Luton NICU , Elsie has moved mountains and continues to remain stable.

The NICU at the L&D offer the highest level of intensive care for premature babies. Specialists look after more than 900 babies a year and have nurtured Elsie to continue to beat the odds

Not only do parents face emotional journeys, families of a baby in NICU face extra costs for travel, food and drink & parking which average £282 per week, this is alongside an already very underfunded NHS.
Being so tiny, Elsie will remain in hospital for many weeks to come.

Elsie’s friends and family would love to raise as much money as possible to support her journey and many others who are born too small and too early to receive the latest equipment and highest level of care under the care of L&D NICU.

Here are some examples of what your donations can achieve and how much this lifesaving equipment can cost

£7.50 = a probe to monitor the oxygen levels of a premature baby
£12 = a sterile breast pump set
£50 = two tube holders used to support a premature baby's breathing while they are in an incubator
£100 = an incubator cover, baby nest and bumper to support the developmental needs of a premature baby
£15,000 = an incubator, crucial in regulating the temperature of premature babies
£30,000 = a ventilator, vital in supplying oxygen to underdeveloped lungs

So, please join Elsie and the Rosa family and support L&D NICU and this amazing cause.

Make a contribution today, no matter how small! These tiny lives need us.