Memorial Fund

Moses Warren McCord

In 2014, AFTER my SON PASSED AWAY AT 19 DAYS OLD, I ESTABLISHED THE MOSES WARREN MCCORD MEMORIAL FUND AT CHILDREN'S NATIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM IN WASHINGTON, DC.

The fund supports acute care, palliative care, and research for the most vulnerable NICU babies. My most heartfelt goal is to help other families take their babies home, and be there for any families who cannot. While he was alive, I shared Moses' journey through Facebook posts, which later became a journal of his 19 days on this Earth.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 AT 7:01 PM

Please send some good energy to me and the baby. We're okay, but we could use some extra prayers right now. You can text or message me for more info.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 AT 2:11 PM

So my water broke just shy of 32 weeks yesterday. Baby Moses and I are ok, we're at a great hospital. They want him to stay in as long as possible (up to 34 weeks when they'd induce) so he can get the benefit of all of the meds they're currently pumping me full of to expedite his development. Every 24 hours is a little victory and we've made it 25 since my water broke --I know all of your thoughts and prayers (along with meaning the absolute world to us) are making a world of difference to sweet baby Moses! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Love you all!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 AT 1:50 PM

We've officially made it past 48 hours since my water broke, which is amazing because 3/4 of women deliver within 48 hours of their water breaking. Moses is already being exceptional and getting the benefit of all of these meds they're giving me and getting some extra time to develop- every 24 hours is a little victory Thank you all so much for your love and prayers that he continues to do well and stay in--I know that's why he's been doing so great! Love you all!
Also, a very special happy Birthday to Moses' Pop-Pop.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 AT 5:00 PM

Moses Warren McCord was born today at 3:30 pm, 3 lbs, 12 ounces. He's doing incredibly well! I am the one they are closely monitoring now, and very much appreciate the continued prayers. Love you all!

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 AT 6:41 PM

Both Moses and I are doing great. All the doctors comment on how amazing his size and lungs are for his age, he's been able to breathe on his own, and they keep saying how good he looks! Moreover, this extra strong, sweet little boy came early for me. Because he got us to the hospital, they were monitoring me as well and yesterday learned I had something called HELLP syndrome, which they wouldn't have known about otherwise. Moses miraculously got their attention and stayed in 48 hours to get the benefits of all the meds, and then sent me right into labor (which is exactly what his Momma needed, because you have to deliver to start getting better). Since delivering all of my labs have rebounded for the better, they've been checking me every hour and say I'm doing really great and should be able to get off the heavy meds this afternoon. Thanks everyone for your love and prayers and messages and texts and calls - I haven't had the energy to respond individually, but I see each one of your messages and they bring me so much joy and I can't wait to talk to all of you soon! Moses is one loved and lucky little boy to have such amazing friends and family (his parents are too!) So much love!

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 AT 4:26 PM

24 hours later I am off the magnesium and just got to hold my sweet Baby Moses He's such a beautiful little guy, drawing strength I'm sure from the great men we named him after: My dear Uncle Warren and Moses, whose role in the story of Exodus is so important in both Jewish and African-American traditions.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 AT 3:34 PM

I'm well enough to leave the hospital today! Next up is just getting Moses bigger and stronger so he can come home soon too! I love that little angel so much! Love to each of you-- thanks for all of your love, prayers, and support - cannot thank you enough!

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 AT 3:45 PM

Isn't he just the absolute cutest?!! My heart just explodes with love when I see him! Thank you for all of the inspiring preemie stories and prayers for my sweet little Moses to grow big and strong!

Feeling really blessed. I work for an amazing company (that ironically I was going to tell I was pregnant this week and come up with a game plan for November), I told them everything (including the fact that I didn't mention my pregnancy during the hiring process through that it would be amazing for me to keep working right now--aka post up with my laptop for a few hours each day and write in Chapel Hill in between visits with my sweet little one!) and they were totally on board :) This is going to help so much with keeping busy and staying sane (and paying for parking and gas each day lol!) and I just feel so lucky that we were so great and just thrilled for me for the birth of my baby. So many people looking out for our family and doing all they can to be accommodating and it just means the world :)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 AT 7:41 PM

Today's visit: Our amazing nurse took our picture and decorated Moses' space last night He's doing so well - in clothes and swaddled and able to regulate his own body temp!

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 22 AT 7:58 PM

This little angel is a week old today and doing great! They're upping his calories bit by bit and very excitingly for a 33 weeker, he's latched 3 days in a row! Such a big first step because teaching him how to suck and getting him off the feeding tube will be one of our biggest tasks to get him home! There's a road ahead but he's a little champ! Love this sweet boy so much And his Daddy is gonna give him a bath tonight during his visit! Big kisses to all of you from Baby Moses!

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 AT 1:05 PM

What they call my baby in the streets. Thanks due to the sweetest nurse who made this!

tktk

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 AT 11:30 A.M.

Update: Our little angel is on an upward trend putting weight on, he's over his birth weight :)

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 AT 7:09 PM
Family visit for Rosh Hashanah (Mac will be joining later :)) Look how big my boy is getting!! Love him so much!

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 AT 8:20 PM

Our boy just weighed in at 4 lbs!!

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 AT 8:28 PM

Daddy's here!

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 AT 11:25 PM

Gorgeous Baby Moses picture my mom painted for our nursery!!!!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 AT 10:16 AM

Most hysterical moment last night: When I took Moses back from my dad, Moses reached his little hand up to my dad's chest and lifted his visitor badge! Ha! I asked my dad to check if he still had his wallet Love my boy's mischievous spirit (and strength!).

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 AT 4:31 PM

Big Yawn! And relaxing with my hands up!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 AT 12:27 PM

Look how much I've grown and how alert I am! Today Mommy got pictures of me waving, doing leg lifts, tugging on my wires and looking right at her before she swaddles me up!

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 AT 8:49 AM

Guess who gained an entire ounce last night?!! We just gotta get this boy to where he can eat without the tube and get my milk volumes up (because I need to find a way to keep pace with this growth!!).

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 AT 8:58 PM

My umbilical cord fell off so Mommy and Daddy gave me my first bath in a tub! And I'm being moved from my baby house to a crib tonight (pics to follow) and I practiced breastfeeding 3 times today and took 2 bottles from the nurses while Mommy was at home! I am working so hard to get ready to go home!

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 AT 9:20 PM

Big boy in his crib!

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1 AT 1:08 P.M.

Our sweet little baby has been exceeding expectations left and right -- I guess it's tired him out and he's having a bit of a rough day - send good thoughts please! Xoxo

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1 AT 3:36 PM

This morning we were talking about me breastfeeding Moses around the clock and when he'd be getting out of here. In a matter of hours, I have gone from having a super healthy baby to a sick baby and honestly it is the most heartbreaking experience of my whole life. I know he is in the very best place and they'll take good care of him so he gets well soon but I feel absolutely devastated. Please keep praying for my sweet baby Moses.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1 AT 5:56 PM

They think Moses has an infection, and after periods of not breathing today (accompanied by low heart function) have put him on a ventilator.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2 AT 3:27 AM

I hate to update everyone via Facebook, but Moses' condition is life-threatening. Please pray for him (and understand we're at his bedside and so not very accessible by phone).

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2 AT 12:25 PM

The situation with Moses remains very serious. A ventilator is breathing for him, his heart rate is too high, his blood pressure is too low, and the infection has caused multiple seizures - twice severe enough combined with his vitals that the doctors started "preparing us." He could have an intestinal infection, he could have meningitis (he's not stable enough for a lumbar puncture), he may need surgery, he may not be strong enough for surgery. He's on 6 kinds of antibiotics and anti seizure meds as well as fluids and blood transfusions. Basically he needs to find a way to fight through and survive and then hopefully it'll start turning around. There may be brain damage concerns down the road from the seizures, but our main focus now is survival. Thank you for all of the messages and prayers- I know they are helping Moses get through all the tough patches!! It means a lot!

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2 AT 5:39 PM

Moses' condition is still considered life-threatening, but he is fighting! He has made it through the day, and he hasn't gotten any worse, which are both good signs. We're not out of the woods yet, but our sweet baby is doing all he can! Lots of great docs all working together and checking in on him. It really seems that's it an infection, so they're doing all they can to treat it. And, Moses' heart rate, while still too high, recently went down a bit for the first time all day --we'll take it! Again, all of your prayers and love and energy are making a big difference. Thank you and lots of love right back, Sara, Mac and Moses

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3 AT 7:12 AM

Baby boy made it through the night. Still concerns about surviving the infection, and they believe it's likely caused bleeding in his brain, which could mean brain damage and some complications down the road though we may not know how extensive for some time. We need Moses to keep fighting this infection, and we need his brain to stay strong and protected and surprise everyone with it's resiliency and health. The good news is our boy keeps fighting - he is so tough! We're so proud of how strong he is! Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, kinds words and messages.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3 AT 7:35 AM

I got this text from Rabbi Eitan Webb yesterday and it has really been encouraging me "The Talmud says that Moshe was born at 6 months and one day. May he follow his namesake who went from difficult beginnings to become the greatest leader in our history."

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3 AT 9:11 AM

Growing concerns about Moses' brain -- bleeding, too little oxygen, growing circumference, could be significant brain damage--now this sweet angel has 2 big fights, both fighting infection and keeping his brain healthy at the same time. Come on sweet boy!

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3 AT 10:15 PM

The infection caused too much damage to our sweet Baby Moses' brain for him to wake up. So tonight he's resting comfortably and dreaming about choo-choo trains and tomorrow will be Moses' day - we're going to take our sweet boy outside to see the sunshine. Please take tomorrow to hug your kids a little tighter and tell them how much you love them. Moses will always be our son--our sweet, beautiful feisty boy. We'll remember him in Maryland this Monday or Tuesday, more info to follow.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4 AT 8:05 PM

Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your overwhelming support. This is the hardest thing Mac and I will ever face, but knowing you're here means the world. Moses had a beautiful morning. We had them take out all of his IVs and tubes and wires and took him out in the sunshine - he looked so happy and we know our sweet boy is at peace...

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4 AT 11:33 PM

Sara McCord shared Bill Mac McCord's status update.

Every day we will celebrate the life of our beautiful baby boy, Moses Warren McCord. He is the strongest fighter I have ever known. Mommy and Daddy love you so very much.
Dream about choo-choo trains.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5 AT 6:42 AM

Thinking about my sweet baby boy.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5 AT 11:05 AM

This flight to Maryland was the hardest of my whole life. I thought so many times about what my first trip back would be like - and everyone Moses would get to spend time with. That so many people who love him never got to hold him or smell him or kiss his sweet forehead or see him look them in the eyes while they told him a story breaks my heart wide open. I can't express how saddened I am that everyone we love has to come together to remember his life before we ever had the opportunity to bring them together to celebrate his birth.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8 AT 10:44 AM

Bill Mac McCord and I continue to be incredibly moved by your outpouring of support. Thank you to everyone who was with us yesterday - and will be with us this week - in person and through your words and thoughts. It brings comfort to know how many of you love and will remember our sweet boy. [EDITOR'S NOTE: The remainder of this post contained donation information. Through generous gifts we raised over $2500 to benefit UNC Children's Hospital. And since then, we've raised nearly $40,000 for Children's National in Washington, DC]

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12 AT 1:15 PM

Mac and I continue to be incredibly moved by your outpouring of love for our sweet Moses.