Our daughter, Francesca Ann, was born at Washington Hospital after a healthy pregnancy that lasted 36 weeks and 4 days. We were so excited to meet her, but during a routine checkup, I was sent to the hospital and quickly taken in for an emergency c-section. Within minutes, Frankie was born, but heartbreakingly, she never took her first breath. Even in the midst of this tragedy, the doctors and nurses at Washington Hospital showed us incredible compassion, kindness, and respect. Their care and support made an unimaginable experience a little more bearable, and we are forever grateful for how they treated our family and honored Frankie’s memory.

We want to honor Francesca Ann by naming a labor and delivery room at Washington Hospital in her memory. Our hope is that her name will live on and bring comfort to other families who welcome their babies with love, just as we did with Frankie. The name Francesca means “free,” and we chose Ann because it is the middle name of both our mothers. The nickname Frankie always made us smile, and her name holds a special place in our hearts. By dedicating this room, we want to create a lasting tribute to our daughter and give back to the hospital community that supported us so deeply.

We are deeply thankful for the love and support we have received from friends, family, and the community. Being able to name a room after Frankie would mean the world to us, and we hope this space will be a source of hope and comfort for many families in the years to come.