By: The Dirt
A family who has faced immeasurable loss due to a fatal disease that primarily affects premature infants has organized a community run in Davis to raise awareness and research funds.
Yolo County parents Jennifer and Noah Canvasser launched the NEC Society—the world’s leading nonprofit advancing for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) research, education, and advocacy—after tragically losing their son Micah to the disease.
NEC is a life-threatening intestinal disease that affects medically fragile infants during their first weeks and months of life. Locally, the UC Davis Children’s Hospital is where families go for lifesaving care for babies at risk of NEC.
This month, the NEC Society and UC Davis Neonatal Intensive Care Unit team up host the first YOLO Run for a World Without NEC, coinciding with Necrotizing Enterocolitis Awareness Day on May 17. The run starts at 8a and has options for 2k, 5k, 10k or virtual participation. Supporters may also donate online.
Most people have never heard of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Jennifer and Noah Canvasser had never heard of NEC until Micah was diagnosed.
Micah and his twin brother Zachary were born prematurely at 27-weeks, weighing 2-pounds each. Jenn and Noah did everything they could to help their twins thrive in the neonatal intensive care unit. The twins grew stronger, and by the time they were six weeks old, it seemed Micah and Zachary would be home in a matter of days.
“But everything changed when Micah was diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis. He became critically ill and needed emergency surgery to remove necrotic bowel,” Jennifer explained. “Zachary was discharged from the NICU, but Micah’s complications from NEC continued.”
After months in the NICU and pediatric intensive care unit, Micah finally came home, and the Canvasser family was overjoyed.
Just before the twins’ first birthday, Micah developed pneumonia and was readmitted to the PICU. Micah was in multisystem organ failure because of NEC. The Canvasser family hoped for a miracle, but it never came. Micah left this Earth, wrapped tight in his parents’ arms, and since then, his family has worked tirelessly to share their son’s light with others.
The YOLO Run raises awareness about this devastating disease and the need for more research on prevention and treatment.
Since Micah’s passing, the Canvasser family has built an international movement to advance NEC research, education, and advocacy for a world without NEC.
“Micah should be here, growing up in Davis, playing soccer, building Legos, and riding his bicycle on the greenbelt,” Jennifer told The Dirt. “Together, we can help other families never experience the devastation of NEC.”
PROMO CODE: visit https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/Davis/YOLORun and enter YoloDirt for a discount to join the run.
>>Join the Davis community to run or walk for a world without NEC by signing up here.
>>Interested in sponsoring? Contact Jennifer@NECsociety.org
>>Presented by the UC Davis Children’s Hospital with support from Change of Pace, Medela, Infinant Health, Fleet Feet Davis, Milkify, Davis Food Co-Op, Fit House Davis, Mathnasium of Davis, YOLO Federal Credit Union, Brazen Racing, Facchino Photography, and Ink Monkey.
