The Linden Fund
Babies born preterm are at higher risk for serious health problems, and those born the earliest are at the greatest risk of medical complications, long-term disabilities and death. Thankfully, medical advances in neonatology and obstetrics have greatly improved the chances of survival for even the smallest babies.
The earlier a baby is born the more likely he or she is to face serious health problems. These babies need specialized care in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where they receive the expertise and care of the dedicated doctors and nurses.
Let’s help save these precious lives.The Linden Fund has been set up as a registered charity to provide Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Units up-to-date equipment. We work directly with the NICU's to assess their immediate needs.
Linden is now a happy, healthy 2 year old. In him we see the miracle that is possible and the hope that together we can give to others. On this page, we currently have featured Linden's story. In the future, you will see the stories of other babies that we have been privileged to be a part of over the past two years.
The greatest gift given to expectant parents is a healthy child.
Linden Pezzullo
July 5, 2003 Linden Allister Pezzullo was born. Weighing 3 lbs 3 oz he was considered big for his gestation.
Exactly 2 weeks prior my water had broken. I rushed to my local hospital Southlake Healthcare Center in Newmarket to be told “We better get you down to Mount Sinai.” We didn’t understand then what a blessing that would be.
Sam and I walked into the NICU the morning after he was born. “So, how is he doing?” (not understanding the gravity of the situation), the nurse just shook her head and said “Not good!”. Shortly thereafter we were watching him in his incubator and witnessed the most horrifying site; he was having grand mal seizures. I was terrified. I just wanted to reach in and hold him to help him stop. I felt helpless. There was nothing I could do but just stand back, watch, wait, and pray. Linden was diagnosed with acute meningitis and septicemia. He endured 16 lumbar punctures 3 blood transfusions, respiratory distress syndrome and grade 2 brain bleed (IVH - Interventricular Brain Hemmorage) among other complications.
After many procedures and medications Linden was ready to be transferred closer to home. Once again I would visit Southlake Hospital. Unfortunately this visit would be one I would rather forget. Within 4 hours of arriving at the hospital Linden’s life hung in the balance. He became so very ill again. He looked worse than he did the day he was born. A team from Sick Kids was sent to stabilize him so we could return to Mount Sinai. I can’t tell you the relief I felt being told I was returning to what I now considered home. I knew, this, is where he would be taken care of.
We arrived back that same night to be met by Dr. Diambomba and nurse Tanya. Both of them were so kind and gentle to me, they helped to ease my pain. This made me sure we were in the right place.
The diagnosis came back that Linden had suffered a recurrence of meningitis. It turned out that I was GBS positive and had been the cause of its reappearance. Once again he was treated with aggressive medicines and kept in Level 3 until we were sure he was better. The time came when he was ready go home, September 19th. A day we will forever celebrate, 3 days after his original due date. Very impressive considering the tumultuous time he had to endure.
Linden is now a happy, healthy 2 year old. In him we
see the miracle that is possible and the hope that together we can bring
to others.