Newborn memorial fund
founded by area couple
Every mother can testify to the burdens of child bearing, but the trials and tribulations during this period are magnified when the expected child is diagnosed with an illness.
For Adam and Dana Puharic of Aberdeen Township, hardship became reality when doctors diagnosed their son, Michael, with trisomy 13, a serious chromosome disorder, five months into Dana’s pregnancy.
Trisomy 13 severely limits a newborn’s chances for survival, but Dana and Adam chose to continue with the pregnancy and vowed to be the best parents they could be for as long as their child was with them.
Three weeks prior to the expected arrival date, on July 29, Michael Gerard Puharic entered the world at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, weighing a healthy 7 pounds, 11 ounces.
"Michael’s birth alone was a miracle," said Dana, who credits the care at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Monmouth Medical Center. "His struggle for life was commendable, as he fought each hour to live."
On Aug. 1, Michael passed away peacefully at his parents’ home after an 83-hour fight for his life.
In memory of Michael, the Puharics founded the Michael Gerard Puharic Memorial Fund to provide basic necessities such as car seats, changing tables, bassinets, diaper bags and other supplies for new parents and their gravely ill newborns, Dana said. The fund will also promote awareness and education of serious conditions affecting newborns, such as trisomy disorders.
According to Dana, approximately 400 live trisomy 13 births occur each year in the United States. Most pregnancies result in termination or stillbirth, she said.
Dana said the primary goal of the memorial fund is to provide help and relief for parents and babies in similar situations. The Puharics did not expect to bring Michael home and had not established a nursery for him.
"The care I received at Monmouth Medical Center was so phenomenal," said Dana. "There were so many babies there who needed help and with this fund, if you could help just one child, it’s worth it."
With nearly 200 donations already in, the fund has raised about $10,000 and the Puharics are in discussions with Monmouth Medical Center’s funding department to determine uses for the fund.
"We want to help the parents in need know where the money is and keep our contributors in the loop as to where the money is going," Dana explained.
The Puharics are hoping the first distribution of funds can be made by the holiday season, at which time they will send out a note to contributors to keep them apprised of their contribution.
According to Dana, the fund has begun the process of achieving 501(c)3 tax-exempt status as a nonprofit organization, which should take between one to six months. Additionally, the fund will launch its Web site to reach a national audience.
"Hopefully this fund will keep Michael’s memory and strength alive, and the profound impact he has made on the lives of people he has touched will continue to inspire us all," said Dana. "His accomplishment is that in just four short days he was able to impact and make the difference for more people than most of us are able to achieve in a much longer life span. We are very excited to begin helping people the way Monmouth Medical Center helped us."
For more information about the fund, contact Dana Puharic at (732) 239-7887.