Local mom gets special diaper bag thanks to business donation

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Officials say every month there is at least one baby born at New Hanover Regional with a cleft lip and palate.

Although the birth defect is not rare, it can be difficult for new parents to adjust. A local business donated thousands to NHRMC Foundation to help families going through the transition.

Samantha McGee found out she would have a baby with a cleft lip and palate when she was 23 weeks pregnant.

“I think I cried for like a whole week just trying to realize that I’m going to have to see my baby come out a bit different that most moms will,” McGee said.

Since the beginning though, support has been by her side.

NHRMC Cleft Lip and Palate Team Nurse Coordinator Alana McKeever says about 12 out of more than 3,000 babies born a year at the hospital will have cleft lip and/or palate.

“We follow them from birth to adulthood because they are changing and continuing needs through adulthood,” McKeever said.

Shortly after McGee’s daughter Lillianna was born, she received an unexpected surprise.

“They kind of walked in and I didn’t know what they were doing there,” McGee said. “They had like a diaper bag and a bear so I immediately got excited and said ‘Wait a minute, do we get a gift?'”

A bag of special bottles, equipment, information, and a teddy. These bags were made possible because of people like Taylor Welborn.

“I’ve never met her before,” Welborn said. “No. I didn’t know until last week I was suppose to be here and then to find out I get to meet one of the parents, that was just amazing.”

Welborn works at Great Clips in Mayfaire and she raised more than $1,300 for a family she didn’t know. Her and other Great Clips employees gave the hospital a $20,000 donation for the bags to be created.

Wilmington Great Clips Owner James Cummings say they couldn’t have done it without the help from the community.

“I got emotional a minute ago because I didn’t realize each and every single one of them in there raised money themselves,” McGee said.

McGee says she’ll stay strong and positive for this exciting and uncertain road ahead.

“I just want her to remember how loved she is and how beautiful she was before and after when she sees the scar,” McGee said.

Officials say so far only two families have be given the special diaper bags including the McGee family.