At 35 weeks pregnant, Ashley Milward never imagined that a simple shopping trip to Kamloops with her sister would turn into one of the most unforgettable experiences of her life. Living in 100 Mile House, Ashley had planned to deliver her baby at Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake but little did she know, her baby had other plans. Just as Ashley and her sister were getting ready to drive back home, she felt a sudden and unmistakable sensation – her water broke.

Feeling a mix of shock and excitement, Ashley realized just how fortunate she was to have had this happen when it did. Being the tertiary referral hospital for the Thompson Cariboo Shuswap region, Royal Inland Hospital has the specialized care available to deliver babies this premature. It felt like fate had intervened. With hearts racing, Ashley and her sister rushed to Royal Inland Hospital’s emergency department.

The medical staff assessed her situation and transported her to the obstetrical services unit where she could be closely monitored. Six hours later, contractions began, and Ashley faced a challenging 16-hour labour. She was dilated over 9 centimeters when the baby’s heart rate began to drop. Ashley’s care team made the decision to preform an emergency caesarean section.

In the operating room, Ashley felt unexpectedly calm. One nurse talked to her throughout the procedure, providing comfort in the absence of her partner, Jeff, who had yet to arrive. Throughout the process, Ashley’s surgeon Dr. Mark Treissman, maintained a laid-back demeanour, talking about his favourite music and cracking jokes. This surprisingly put her mind at ease because his calmness conveyed that everything was under control.

On July 10th, 2022, Griffan Gary Michael Bell made his way into the world. Griffan was cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for ten long days. For the first 4 days, Ashley and her husband Jeff were able to stay in the hospital but knew they would eventually have to find accommodation elsewhere. As they were preparing to leave, a social worker came in and informed them she had taken the liberty of booking them a hotel room at the Kamloops Ramada Inn with their expenses fully covered, courtesy of the Variety Cares Fund. 

This news brought immense relief to Ashley and Jeff. “Learning that our hotel stay was already booked and covered provided great relief to our family,” Ashley said. “Thinking about the cost of accommodation for an indefinite amount of time was a huge stressor. We were shocked and grateful for this news. Already dealing with so much and having a baby in the NICU is enough of a mental burden, on top of having to leave work 5 weeks earlier than expected. We couldn’t be more thankful for this assistance.”

Ten days after Griffan was born, he was safely discharged. Ashley and Jeff made their way back home to 100 Mile House, cherishing their newborn bundle of joy. Today, Ashley is expecting another baby and plans to deliver at Royal Inland Hospital because of her positive experience and the exceptional care she received.

Ashley’s story highlights the meaningful impact RIH staff have on families daily and demonstrates the significant difference made by the Variety Cares Fund grant. Her heartfelt appreciation for the compassionate care and financial assistance she received, emphasizes the vital role these programs play in alleviating the burdens faced by families who have to travel for medical care.

“Having a baby in the NICU is extremely stressful and emotional for families. When you factor in that they are from out of town, missing the comforts of home, the unfamiliar environment and financial burden, the stresses are intensified.  I am so grateful for Variety’s support in allowing me to provide a safe, warm place for families to land. Without this, I truly don’t know what families would do, for some it would mean they could not come to Kamloops to be with their baby. This funding plays a crucial role and on behalf of all the families Variety has supported thank-you for all the incredible work you do!” – Rachel Liddy, Royal Inland Hospital Registered Social Worker.