'Forever Grateful' Preemie Mom Opens Heart To Help Other Families

CUTCHOGUE, NY — Two months after her own tiny preemie came home after spending 77 days in the neonatal intensive care unit, Jess Dunne of Cutchogue is opening her heart to help other families navigating the emotional journey.

Dunne and Christian Schott were faced with the unknown when their baby Nova Rae Schott was born 12 weeks early in August. And now Dunne wants to help others waiting out the long, terrifying hours in the NICU.

"I decided to start this fundraiser to give back to the NICU families that don’t always have the luxury that Christian and I did while visiting her every day," Dunne said. "We had a whole community behind us."

The North Fork community donated to a GoFundMe to help the new parents so that they didn't have to worry about expenses such as rent, gas, and food and could focus entirely on their baby girl, Dunne said.

Throughout the entire time that Nova was in the NICU at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, Dunne kept the community updated about her progress.

"We are forever grateful," Dunne said. "But not all families that we’ve met at the NICU have that luxury. And also, it’s enough stress, just having your baby there."

To that end, Dunne created a Facebook fundraiser, "NICU Families and Hospital NICU Wishlist" with a goal of raising $500. All funds raised will go toward helping others.

"The money is not for us. We were so fortunate with our GoFundMe that this for the hospital and other NICU families in need," she said.

While many hospitals have a wish list of things that they need for the NICU, and Dunne hopes to donate to that effort, she would also like to directly help families with babies in the NICU, to help with essentials such as diapers, formula, gas, and food for themselves, she said.

Podcast plans

Looking ahead, Dunne would like to start a podcast where others who have infants in the NICU can talk about their feelings and how they are dealing with the stress and array of emotions.

"It will also be therapeutic for us," she said.

Dunne has also created a blog, "Love, your mama," which she describes as an "open letter to my daughter, our birth trauma, and NICU journey to get to you, sweet girl."

Through the sharing of stories and emotions, Dunne aims to show those walking the dark road of fear that there can be light and joy ahead.

"I searched high and low when I was in the hospital for just one glimpse of hope of another story similar to ours, so I really want to be a positive space for people," she said.

As for Nova Rae, she's growing stronger every day. She's 9 lbs. now, and has grown from 9 inches at birth to 20.5 inches today.

In addition, Dunne's sister Katelyn Browne just had a baby, Makayla Rose, and has donated breast milk, Dunne said. "I'm so happy I’ve been able to continue to give her that," she said.

For months, Nova Rae's story has touched hearts.

When she came home to Cutchogue in November, family and friends turned out to greet her, waving signs that read "You go, girl!" and "Welcome home, Nova Rae!"

When Nova Rae was born on Aug. 31, she was delivered at 28 weeks and weighed 1 lb., 3 oz., and was only 9 inches long, making her a micro-preemie.

But now, Dunne said, Nova has continued to grow stronger every day and is thriving in her next chapter at home. "I can't wait to give this girl the world, because she gave me everything, becoming her mama," Dunne said.

Dunne, a popular chef on the North Fork and co-founder of North Fork Roasting Co., said she and Schott named their baby Nova Rae Schott, because, according to its definition, a "supernova" is a powerful and brilliant stellar explosion.

Despite her size, Nova Rae has always been "a force," Dunne has said. "Though she be but little, she is fierce."

To donate to the fundraiser for NICU families, click here.