Miracle Makers: Overdue at the NICU

Miracle Makers is a series of 30 stories from Walmart and Sam’s Club associates to celebrate the companies’ 30th anniversary of fundraising for CMN Hospitals

Often the NICU is associated with premature babies, but in the case of Ashely Gregory’s son, Brody, he was there after being overdue at nearly 42 weeks.

During birth, Brody swallowed all his meconium which caused breathing problems and a lung infection. He was immediately put on a ventilator and spent a week in the NICU at MU Children’s Hospital.

“The doctors and nurses were amazing,” Ashley said. “They always made sure my questions were answered and made sure to hold Brody as much as possible.”

Brody is now a healthy 2-year-old.

Ashley, now a pharmacy technician at her Walmart in Jefferson City, MO, was a dedicated and passionate fundraiser for CMN Hospitals for six years before Brody was even born. Now she is the lead for the CMN Hospitals campaign at her store and takes every opportunity she can to share Brody’s story with anyone hesitant about donating.

“People need to know you can have a perfect pregnancy and still end up needing the services of a children’s hospital,” she said.

Ashley’s store raises $16,000 on average each year through the annual register campaign, associate bake sales, carnivals and barbecues.

You can help parents like Ashley by donating at your local Walmart or Sam’s Club today!