From the NICU to the Soccer Field
Every monthly donor has a story behind their generosity. For Tasmin, it began in the NICU at North York General, where her then-tiny son received life-saving care:
From the NICU to the Soccer Field
Every monthly donor has a story behind their generosity. For Tasmin, it began in the NICU at North York General, where her then-tiny son received life-saving care:
“When my son was born nearly 12 years ago, he came into the world far earlier than expected — just 3 pounds, 5 ounces. What was supposed to be a joyful, full-term delivery turned into a frightening experience. I went into labour suddenly, and within an hour and a half of arriving at the hospital, I was holding a tiny, fragile baby in my arms.
After a brief stay at a midtown hospital, my son was transferred to North York General Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where he remained for 45 days. That’s where everything changed for us.”
Finding Strength in Care
At NYGH, we experienced a level of care I will never forget. The nurses were kind and attentive — they took the time to not only care for my son but also to teach and support me as a new mom to a medically fragile baby. I learned how to bathe him, how to feed him once he was ready, and the importance of skin-to-skin contact that helped him regulate and thrive. They didn’t let him go home until they were absolutely sure he was ready. I often wonder if those first weeks of thorough, loving care is one of the reasons he’s grown into the strong, athletic boy he is today.
I visited the hospital every single day. I’d take the subway in to spend hours pumping, holding him, and learning to be his mom in a very different way than I had imagined. North York General became a second home to us.
When we finally left on December 12, just in time for Christmas, I remember looking down at him in his car seat — so tiny and bundled — and feeling overwhelmed with gratitude and a little fear. After all those weeks of constant care and reassurance, bringing him home felt daunting.
From Fragile Start to Fast on the Field
We came back the following summer for the NICU’s PeeWee Picnic. It was incredible to see the nurses again and to witness just how much all the preemie babies had grown. My son is now almost 12, and he plays competitive soccer, running fast and strong across the field. He’s thriving — not just physically, but in school and life too. You’d never guess he once had a feeding tube and couldn’t take milk by mouth.
I became a monthly donor because I knew I wanted to give back. Monthly giving felt like the right way to honour the care we received and ensure that future families would have that same comfort, knowledge, and expert support. NYGH helped our family grow into itself.
Giving back is the least I can do.”
Tasmin, North York General Monthly Donor
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