Stories from friends and family
Meet Stephanie Vaughan
Stephanie has been with Maclaren for over four years as the Digital Asset and Production Manager. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communications Design and Master of Professional Studies in Design Management.
In addition to her role as the company-wide point person for Maclaren's digital repository, Stephanie is also the proud Mum of twin four-year-old boys, Morgan and Shaymus, who were born prematurely. It was this experience through which Stephanie found her passion.
Meet Morgan
Stephanie's twin sons were born on 29 October 2010 at 28 weeks, one day gestation -- nearly three months early -- each weighing less than 1134 g / 2.5 lb. At four days old, Morgan developed Necrotizing Enterocolitis and underwent emergency surgery to remove approximately 20 cm / 7.9 in of his small intestine. Morgan remained in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for 105 days. Morgan underwent a second surgery to reconnect his small intestine before coming home on Valentine's Day 2011.
Both Morgan and Shaymus are now happy, heathy four-year-olds. "We know how extremely fortunate we are to have had such positive outcomes for both boys," adds Stephanie.
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Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)
NEC is an inflammatory disease that leads to necrosis (death) of the intestine, predominately due to prematurity. All newborn infants born preterm or with a low birth weight (less than 2495 g /5.5 lbs) are at increased risk for NEC. The smaller the infant or the more premature the delivery, the greater the risk. Despite extensive study, the cause of NEC is uncertain. (Sources: NICHD and APSA.)
In response to Morgan's experience, Stephanie and her family founded The Morgan Leary Vaughan Fund (Morgan's Fund), an all-volunteer public charity dedicated to Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC). Its mission is to promote public awareness about NEC and the potentially devastating effects it can have on preemies and their families, and to advance research to prevent, diagnose, treat, and ultimately, cure NEC. Named after Morgan, it celebrates his survival, courage and strength. This is his family's way of paying it forward.