Our Story

Rebecca

Daughter of Phyllis and Andrew Rabinowitz; Sister of Sidney, Ryder and Hunter

Rebecca Ava Rabinowitz

Our daughter Rebecca was born four weeks early on July 13, 2006. We loved her from the moment of birth and savored every hour with her. She was released from the NICU five days later, supposedly as a healthy baby girl. The next day, Rebecca was severely congested with thick mucus, continuing her slow feedings, and had difficulty breathing. We took her to the pediatrician and the hospital emergency room during each of the following days we had her. Doctors diagnosed her symptoms as a common cold, and she was repeatedly sent home. Unfortunately, Rebecca passed away on the morning of July 21. We later found out that she had contracted an enteroviral infection that can be life-threatening in babies. If her symptoms had been treated, she might still be here today. As a result of this tragedy with Rebecca, we created the R Baby Foundation. This charity is dedicated to helping newborn babies, including those less than a month old suffering from viral infections and other infectious diseases, receive the highest quality of care and service through supporting education, research, training and life-saving equipment.

We work with the top professionals in the medical community to provide them with the resources they need to improve the health of all babies and children. By reaching out to current and future parents and grandparents, and by establishing and growing this foundation, we hope other families will never:

• have to ask why this happened;
• feel the pain of losing a child and
• experience the anger associated with their baby not getting his or her chance to live.

We also provide support to families who, like us, have lost an infant, and have joined with other like-minded organizations as part of a global network that provides not only healing — but also hope — by actively raising visibility and funds. We do all that we can to improve the chances that infants will be properly diagnosed, treated and saved through enhanced pediatric care services.

We are humbled by the outpouring of support we have received from so many people and organizations who have rallied to the cause of saving babies’ lives. Many thanks to everyone who contributes the time, resources, and love that helps R Baby’s mission succeed.

-Phyllis & Andrew Rabinowitz