Angelina Longo Memorial Fund
Donation protected
The story of our loss below has inspired us to raise an awareness for stillbirths. We would like to help pregnant women and couples by sharing related research, along with fundraising. Donations will go to this research, charities, and local scholarships in Angelina's name.
My husband and I lost our daughter at 22 weeks. It was a complete shock, we were healthy and were given appropriate pre-natal care. Our blood test for genetic issues in the first trimester was completely normal.
After having two boys, we were surprised and thrilled beyond belief to learn that we were expecting a girl. God had answered our prayers and our family was to be complete when she was born. We did gender reveals with family, opening boxes with pink balloons and cake with pink filling.
We went to our 20 week ultrasound and she was fine. We saw her moving, we heard her strong heartbeat. A week later, our obgyn wanted to double check her bladder size and see if her bowel was normal.
So my mom and I went to Danbury Maternal Fetal Medicine. Chris had to work, but at the time we weren't concerned. I was hooked up to the ultrasound machine, I noticed the baby wasn't moving much. I thought "oh she must be sleeping." As the ultrasound technologist made small talk, she said with a frown "I'll be back." When she got the doctor I was afraid something was wrong. The doctor talked with us before announcing he "had some very bad news. There was no heartbeat." Just like that my world came apart at the seams and our baby was gone.
After going through labor, delivery we saw a beautiful and healthy looking baby. We held her, took her footprints and tried to spend whatever time we had despite being exhausted, distraught and terrified of holding our dead daughter. It turns out we learned that Angelina died from an umbilical cord accident, the cord was wrapped too tightly around her neck.
Since then, as her mom I have felt her spirit and love with me. I have been filled with a stronger faith and a changed perspective on what matters in life.
No one should EVER have to experience what my husband and I did. Yet stillbirth rates haven't improved in the past 15 years. We are on a mission for Angelina to raise awareness for stillbirth, helping pregnant women prevent this tragedy, fundraising for research, charities, and giving scholarships in her name so she will live on in hearts everywhere forever.
My husband has vowed to run 22 marathons in honor of Angelina, and to also inspire others to see that this is one way to gain strength and resilience. See stories below:
FOX NEWS feature:
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/01/24/after-baby-dies-at-22-weeks-connecticut-dad-promises-to-run-22-marathons.html
Longo's Original Blog Post
https://drchrislongo.wordpress.com/2016/01/08/my-oneword2016-resilience/
To see the training and progress of Chris, as he works toward his goal of 22 marathons for Angelina, request to follow him on Instagram ( @drchrislongo) here: www.instagram.com/drchrislongo
Our beautiful family with 2 boys Andrew and Dylan know that Angelina, our "little angel" will always be looking down on us.
My husband and I lost our daughter at 22 weeks. It was a complete shock, we were healthy and were given appropriate pre-natal care. Our blood test for genetic issues in the first trimester was completely normal.
After having two boys, we were surprised and thrilled beyond belief to learn that we were expecting a girl. God had answered our prayers and our family was to be complete when she was born. We did gender reveals with family, opening boxes with pink balloons and cake with pink filling.
We went to our 20 week ultrasound and she was fine. We saw her moving, we heard her strong heartbeat. A week later, our obgyn wanted to double check her bladder size and see if her bowel was normal.
So my mom and I went to Danbury Maternal Fetal Medicine. Chris had to work, but at the time we weren't concerned. I was hooked up to the ultrasound machine, I noticed the baby wasn't moving much. I thought "oh she must be sleeping." As the ultrasound technologist made small talk, she said with a frown "I'll be back." When she got the doctor I was afraid something was wrong. The doctor talked with us before announcing he "had some very bad news. There was no heartbeat." Just like that my world came apart at the seams and our baby was gone.
After going through labor, delivery we saw a beautiful and healthy looking baby. We held her, took her footprints and tried to spend whatever time we had despite being exhausted, distraught and terrified of holding our dead daughter. It turns out we learned that Angelina died from an umbilical cord accident, the cord was wrapped too tightly around her neck.
Since then, as her mom I have felt her spirit and love with me. I have been filled with a stronger faith and a changed perspective on what matters in life.
No one should EVER have to experience what my husband and I did. Yet stillbirth rates haven't improved in the past 15 years. We are on a mission for Angelina to raise awareness for stillbirth, helping pregnant women prevent this tragedy, fundraising for research, charities, and giving scholarships in her name so she will live on in hearts everywhere forever.
My husband has vowed to run 22 marathons in honor of Angelina, and to also inspire others to see that this is one way to gain strength and resilience. See stories below:
FOX NEWS feature:
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/01/24/after-baby-dies-at-22-weeks-connecticut-dad-promises-to-run-22-marathons.html
Longo's Original Blog Post
https://drchrislongo.wordpress.com/2016/01/08/my-oneword2016-resilience/
To see the training and progress of Chris, as he works toward his goal of 22 marathons for Angelina, request to follow him on Instagram ( @drchrislongo) here: www.instagram.com/drchrislongo
Our beautiful family with 2 boys Andrew and Dylan know that Angelina, our "little angel" will always be looking down on us.
Organizer
Chris Longo
Organizer
Bethel, CT
