Newswise — When Amaziah Garcia was born premature at Loyola University Medical Center (LUMC) in 2014, the odds were against her. Delivered after just 23 weeks gestation, Amaziah weighed 1 pound, 5 ounces, her lungs were not fully developed and she suffered from a low white cell count as well as low blood pressure. For her parents, the 98 days Amaziah spent in Loyola’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) were agonizing. But with each passing day, their daughter’s determination became more clear. She was even dubbed “Amazing Amaziah” by her doctors and nurses. Now the thriving toddler from River Grove will be an honorary “hero” for Loyola’s 5th Annual Health, Hope & Heroes 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, June 5. The 5K starts at 9 am on the campus of LUMC, 2160 S. First Ave., Maywood, Illinois. Race proceeds will support Loyola’s pediatric healthcare programs. Yara Garcia was 23 weeks pregnant with twins when she started bleeding and experiencing contractions. Recognizing her pregnancy was at risk, Mrs. Garcia was transferred from her local hospital to Loyola, where she delivered Amaziah and twin sister Azariah. Sadly, Azariah passed away shortly after birth. For the next three months, Amaziah fought to survive in the NICU.
“In the time she was here, she had all the complications you would expect to see in a very premature baby,” said Christine Sajous, MD, Loyola neonatologist.
Amaziah slowly improved before finally leaving the hospital on oxygen, monitors and medication. Amaziah’s mother praised the caregivers at Loyola. “Going there every day, seeing them, watching them, learning,” Mrs. Garcia said of the Loyola staff. “Just seeing how gentle how they were with her. I grew to trust them. They grew to love her (Amaziah).” Shortly after she was taken off oxygen, however, Amaziah faced a new challenge. She contracted Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a severe respiratory infection. Amaziah and her parents returned to Loyola, where she was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and intubated with a breathing tube. She was put under the care of Julie Fitzgerald, MD, medical director of the Loyola PICU. “They kept telling us to prepare for the worst,” Mrs. Garcia said. “Dr. Fitzgerald, she had a lot of faith in Amaziah. She said, ‘She’s a tough cookie. She’ll pull through this.’” Doctors were eventually able to remove the breathing tube from Amaziah and she recovered fully. Despite her early struggles, Amaziah now runs around her house, plays with toys and enjoys exploring the world around her. “Amaziah is a hero to me because she has fought, tooth and nail, from the moment she entered this world,” Dr. Fitzgerald said. “She’s so small, yet there’s so much power and so much strength when you look at this beautiful little girl who is so full of joy now. She really is 'Amazing Amaziah.'” The Health, Hope & Heroes 5K Run/Walk will be followed by a Children’s Hero Hustle, a 50-yard dash available for children ages 10 and younger. Area sports mascots and characters will be on hand to entertain kids as they race. Kids’ activities also will be held at the finish line area from 8-11:30 am. All participants receive a commemorative t-shirt. Entertainment and refreshments will be provided following the race. All are invited to join Loyola’s Health, Hope & Heroes 5K Run/Walk to help children like Amaziah. For more information or to register or make a donation, visit loyolamedicine5k.org.
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