Proceeds From 'Kids Day' Fundraiser To Benefit WakeMed's Children's Center

The Children's Center at

WakeMed

is holding a fundraiser Tuesday, with plans to make the center even better with the money raised.

During her delivery, things did not go smoothly for little Emily Ball. She was rushed to WakeMed's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Her parents found themselves dealing with some scary moments.

"The [parents] don't have the Gerber baby anymore, and nobody prepares you for the time spent in the intensive care nursery," said Dr. Thomas Young.

It is a world of beepers and lights with intense life and death struggles played out in cramped quarters.

"There is some noise in there," Young said. "There is, obviously, the staff taking care of several critically ill babies. The ventilators make some noise, and things can get rather close."

Plans are under way to improve and expand the facility. Sales of special Kids Day newspapers will help raise money for this and other projects at WakeMed's Children's Center.

"A combination of spreading out some with more square footage and providing this kind of design, we hopefully will again, provide some more individualized care," Young said.

It is care that comes with a cost, but is priceless.

"Having this daughter alive right now means everything, so I couldn't put a price tag on it," said David Ball, Emily's father.

A special Kids Day edition of the News & Observer goes on sale Tuesday, only at locations in Wake, Orange and Johnston counties. For a complete list of locations, visit the

Kids Day Web site

or call (919) 836-5990.

Seventy-five cents of each dollar will go to help the WakeMed Children's Center.