Patients in the Spotlight: Fiona Shaw

Expert Care for Fiona Inspires Family to Give Back

Jenn and Nigel Shaw are dedicated supporters of Golisano Children's Hospital at the University of Rochester Medical Center. They participate in the Stroll for Strong Kids annually, and have been the winners of the Sandy and Me Photo Contest and Stroll for Strong Kids Theme Contest, with Jenn's western-style theme idea. Read what they had to say about their experience with the hospital when Fiona was an infant.

We feel so fortunate to have such a wonderful facility in our area. Our passion for giving back to Golisano Children’s Hospital began in 2007, when our daughter Fiona was born at Rochester General Hospital with a severe case of meconium aspiration pneumonia requiring services only Golisano Children’s Hospital could provide.

Fiona was rushed to Golisano Children’s Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where she stayed for her first two weeks. We are grateful beyond words for the excellent care Fiona received during her stay. The nurses, our pediatric neonatologists Drs. William Maniscalco and Timothy Stevens and many others were so caring and honest. Despite Fiona's uncertain prognosis, they not only worked hard on Fiona's care but also helped us stay calm and aware of her course of treatment.

We continued using Golisano Children’s Hospital for support from the hospital’s Pediatric Gastroenterology/Nutrition Division on related treatments throughout her first year and a half of life. Fiona struggled mightily that first year, yet today you would never know she had any difficulties. We appreciate all the follow-up care the hospital provides.

We started a team for the Stroll for Strong Kids called Fiona and Friends three years ago. We have walked for the past three years and have raised just about $3,000 for the NICU. We hope to grow our team each year and to look for creative ways to give back!

We do this to honor all the children who have spent time in the NICU, the exceptional staff and our friends and family who supported us during such a vulnerable and uncertain time. I feel so strongly about giving back to the NICU and making a difference for other families who go through similar experiences to the one we had in the hospital.

Click here to make a donation to Golisano Children's Hospital on behalf of the Fiona and Friends fundraising team.