Lexy and Jack Harrington were moving from Ohio to Florida when a spina bifida diagnosis changed their pregnancy plans.
After hearing about our landmark clinical trial, the couple researched the CuRe Trial, the world’s first spina bifida treatment combining fetal surgery with stem cell treatment.
Surgeon Diana Farmer called the couple to ease their hesitation about the trial. Diana is an internationally renowned fetal and neonatal surgeon who helped pioneer this treatment for spina bifida. Lexy and Jack flew to Sacramento to meet with her and the team, and immediately enrolled in the trial.
“I was acknowledged as a mother, as a wife, as a human. It was unbelievable,” Lexy said. “I left there knowing I wanted that team to take care of me and my child throughout the whole journey.”
Spina bifida occurs when the spinal cord fails to close properly during the early stages of pregnancy. The birth defect can lead to a range of lifelong cognitive, mobility, urinary and bowel disabilities.
Lexy’s C-section was scheduled for late December, but Baby Millie had other ideas. Less than three weeks later, Lexy went into labor. Millie arrived at 28 weeks and one day on Oct. 31, weighing 2 pounds, 10 ounces.
Although a long hospital stay was not what the Harringtons had planned, the couple again found themselves in the right place. Not only is UC Davis Children’s Hospital home to the innovative CuRe Trial, it also has a level 4-designated NICU providing the highest level of clinical care for newborns and premature babies, like Millie.
Millie celebrated her 1st birthday last month and is developmentally on track.
