On July 22, 2025, Gwen Julia Okoniewski was born at just 24 weeks and 6 days. From her very first day, Gwen was a fighter. She faced immense challenges, including underdeveloped lungs that led to pulmonary hypertension, and spent her life surrounded by the love and strength of her parents, Reid Okoniewski and Carley Ferington, and an amazing NICU team. On October 12, 2025, Gwen passed away, leaving behind a legacy far greater than her brief time here.

Through their NICU journey, Reid and Carley came to understand the emotional weight carried by families navigating uncertainty, hope, and heartbreak inside those hospital walls. In Gwen’s honor, her family is raising funds to create support bags for NICU families in partnership with the March of Dimes, offering comfort and encouragement to parents walking a similar path. Funds raised will be used to purchase children’s books, journals for parents, and other support materials, all chosen to help brighten families’ days and remind them they are not alone.

Every donation, no matter the size, helps ensure Gwen’s story continues to reach families everywhere. Through every act of kindness, her legacy lives on, reminding the world that even the smallest lives, our little cuties, can leave the biggest impact. Thank you for helping us honor Gwen and support NICU families in need.