Four years ago, on August 6, 2022, Theo was born in the wee hours of the morning at one of Maine's rural hospitals. Doctors and staff soon realized that Theo was struggling to breathe, and needed considerable respiratory support. In addition, they were concerned about the possibility of hypoxia-induced brain damage, and wanted to start him on a therapeutic cooling protocol to prevent additional damage. It was quickly determined that the facilities at the small hospital nursery were not enough for Theo's needs, and when he was only a few hours old he took a LifeFlight helicopter ride to Bangor, where the hospital had a state-of-the-art NICU that could meet his medical needs.
18 days later, he was discharged from the NICU with a clean bill of health and an optimistic prognosis for future development. Those few weeks, and the next several years of follow-up, were all characterized by a dedicated, caring, and highly competent set of doctors, nurses, and staff. And it all started with that LifeFlight helicopter ride. Nobody wants to need an emergency medical helicopter, least of all a newborn infant. But we are so grateful that this service exists.
LifeFlight crisscrosses the state to provide critical help to those who need it, when they need it. Between August 1 and August 31, Theo and his family will be doing their Crossing to support LifeFlight of Maine, a challenge that will symbolize the difficulties of providing lifesaving emergency medical care to Maine's many island and rural communities. Theo set the challenge of climbing "one two three four five SIX" mountains last year, and had upped the ante for himself this year by declaring "I want to climb NINE mountains!" Follow along with us this month as we work to complete that goal!
LifeFlight of Maine is a nonprofit organization and the state’s only emergency medical helicopter service. With three helicopters, an airplane and ground ambulances, LifeFlight brings ICU-level care directly to the patient. As Maine’s only air ambulance service, LifeFlight has served more than 42,000 patients, one life at a time, from every community and hospital in the state.
LifeFlight plays a critical role in the “chain of survival” by connecting people to the care they need. People who live in Maine and people who visit Maine—including me—depend on LifeFlight to be there for them. I’m comforted to know that they’ll be there for me, and for my friends and family, should the unthinkable happen.
Theo will be making his mountain climbs to support this great cause, and we're thankful that you are supporting it too. Any amount is greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much for supporting our family's efforts,and for supporting this critically important service.
