April Sweet Pea Spotlight: Elias

April 2012 Sweet Pea: Elias

On April 24, 2009 Elias George Bethke was born at Woman and Infants Hospital in Providence at 26 weeks gestation, weighing only 980 grams (2lbs. 3oz.) and 14 inches long. No one knows for sure why Elias came so early, only that he was a fighter right from the beginning!


One day shy of Elias’ 7th month birthday, he was discharged home. Although Elias weighed 17 pounds at the time, he had numerous on-going medical conditions; Chronic Lung Disease, Tracheomalacia, Nasopharyengeal Reflux, Autonomic Dysfunction, Profound Sensorineural Hearing Loss, and status post Tracheostomy.

Elias thrived for the two years that he was home. He made many strides developmentally and physically. On September 20, 2011 Elias was taken off the ventilator full time. He was doing so well that his doctors called him a “super star.” Elias was also cleared for Choclear Implant Surgery (to improve his hearing) on November 18, 2011, his surgery date was December 1, 2011. He was a joy to everyone who met him. He was always smiling (except when he was hungry!) and loved the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Patty the Pig from Sprout. Elias also loved when people used American Sign Language to communicate with him, and when we signed The Itsy Bitsy Spider.


On November 23, 2011, on the the two year anniversary of Elias coming home, he passed away in his sleep. He is my greatest inspiration and taught me so much in the short time I was blessed to have him.

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What’s in a Number?

What’s in a Number?


Nearly three years ago, three friends shared a dream to help parents with critically ill children fighting for their life in the NICU. So many other families were touched by their dream, they joined the group of friends called Project Sweet Peas. Project Sweet Peas grew quickly, and the desire to bring ease to families whose shoes the group was once in was apparent. We never imagined just 2 ½ years after we started we would have helped bring comfort to over 4,000 families.

This month we did it! Our 4,000th care package was donated! Our wonderful Project Coordinators spend countless hours on end running their projects. They all have had children in the ICU or have lost a child, and it is because of their own experiences that they dedicate themselves to giving back. They work with wonderful supporters who donate money, items and their own time to accomplish their project’s goals. If it wasn’t for our Project Coordinators, Project Volunteers, and our supporters, we would never be where we are today!

4,000 care packages to us is more than just a number, it means the thousands of smiles we brought to a family’s face when they realized they were not alone. It means the thousands of babies bonding with their mommies and daddies through our packages. It means the tens of thousands of items we offered families to build beautiful memories with their critically ill child. And it means the thousands of grieving parent’s hearts we helped heal through offering treasured keepsakes to remember their lost child.

To us, 4,000 is more than just the number of packages we delivered, it is the gift from our heart to inspire those families with the hope of tomorrow.

Pictured is Owen and Isaiah Hill. Owen is the inspiration behind Owen’s Miracle and donated our 4,000th care package this month! Owen was hospitalized on and off from December through March but was faring well enough to make a special deliver! He is currently loving the park, and progressing in his speech therapy.

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Lauren and Madeline's Gift in the News

Project Lauren and Madeline's Gift was recently featured on local television show, The Morning Blend!

You can check out the story here:

http://www.themorningblend.com/videos/141044993.html

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Adopt a NICU Mom for Mother's Day

Mother's Day is approaching in a little more then a month. That being said we are excited to kick off our Adopt a NICU Mom for Mother's Day campaign! Now until May 2 with every $5 donation, 2 NICU moms will receive a silvertone European style bracelet with a footprints dangle charm and a 15% off discount card for all journey charms at Peek-A-Boo ICU.

All donations can be made on our website:

http://projectsweetpeas.com/sweet-events/details/9-adopt-a-nicu-mom

Please help us lift the spirits of some of the strongest and most courageous of mothers!

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