Jaffarian Strong

They say parenthood changes everything. That’s especially true when your first child proves impatient and decides to show up way earlier than expected.

Megan and Mike welcomed their beautiful daughter, Emerson Leora Jaffarian, into the world on September 5, 2017, six weeks before her due date. While Emmie was a mere 4lbs. 11oz., she proved to be a fighter from Day 1.

Shortly after delivery, the new family learned that Emmie was born with TE Fistula and Esophageal Atresia. Basically a hard-to-pronounce way of saying that her esophagus and trachea hadn’t developed normally in the womb. Her esophagus never connected to her stomach. Only a few days old, Emmie underwent an intense surgery to properly join the two and allow her to breathe and eat.    

Emmie has been in the care of the amazing doctors and nurses in the NICU at Golisano Children’s Hospital, a place that Mike and Meg have called home for the past two-plus months. While her condition continues to improve overall, she has had regular setbacks and issues breathing without the aid of oxygen. Emmie requires a second procedure on Thursday, 11/9, to dilate her esophagus and allow her to breathe and eat on her own. The dilation is likely the first of several she will need over the next few months and possibly years, but will hopefully be the key to getting mother, father, and daughter back to the comforts of West Irondequoit.

Adding to all the “excitement,” the Jaffarians were thrown another curve ball when Megan’s work life also became a lot less stable. Most are familiar with the big news in the local ad community, and Megan was one of the many who didn’t move with the business when the agency she worked at was sold at the end of October.

Ever the optimists, Mike and Meg have remained upbeat despite their new world of uncertainty. Laughing, cracking jokes, and telling stories while living at the hospital, not sleeping in the same bed at night, and dealing with increasing financial pressure as they try to bring their baby girl home.

Like any new parents, Mike and Meg deserve to have the time and resources to be able to focus on what’s important right now–a healthy Emmie. And lessen the worry associated with what lies ahead–medical bills, finding a new job, and adjusting to life outside the NICU.

That’s where you come in! This is your chance to rally around the Jaffarians and help them out with a donation to take one more worry off their plate. Any donation, big or small, will go a long way toward making the present a little more pleasant and the future a bit less intimidating.

Because at the end of the day, we all know Mike and Meg would be the first to chip in for any of us. (And, have you seen Emmie’s cheeks? Let’s also do it for those cheeks.)



On behalf of Meg and Mike, we're so grateful to each and every one of you for standing with them during this tough time. 

Thank you.


PS- If you’d rather mail a check vs. donating online, please make your check out to Mike Jaffarian and send to: Causewave Community Partners, Attn: Katelin Pellett, 274 N. Goodman St., Suite B269, Rochester, NY 14607.