Why I Give: Julia Bartak and Baby Blakely

Julia Bartak wasn’t prepared for the emergency delivery of her first child in December of 2019, months before her due date. Fortunately, Saint Luke’s was. 

Daughter Blakely was born safely, but at 24 weeks, she was a micro-preemie needing advanced care to continue developing. Blakely was admitted to Saint Luke’s Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Blakely’s time in the NICU coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, restricting visitation for Julia and her husband, John. However, Saint Luke’s employed Angel Eye technology—a secure, video stream into the NICU—that let Blakely’s parents see her in real-time and observe her care.

Nearly four months later, Blakely was healthy enough to go home.

"It was truly a team effort at Saint Luke’s,” Julia said. “Their incredible knowledge, and just the care that the whole unit showed is hands-down why my daughter is not only alive, but thriving.”

The experience also profoundly affected Julia’s in-laws, Gary and Sara Bartak. 

"Each year, they figure out which charities have impacted them, or their kids, and support those charities," Julia said. "It's Saint Luke's, and it always will be."

Learn more about how you can support Saint Luke's Foundation.