Support Mighty Malachi's NICU Journey

The day after Christmas, Mattie woke up her husband Josh and let him know that something was off, and they might need to go to the hospital later to get checked out. She went to work thinking it wasn’t a big deal, but when they got to the hospital around 4 pm, the Davises were told that Mattie was already in labor at only 22 weeks. She was admitted, and they were told they might only get a few minutes of comfort care with their baby once he arrived.

Malachi Jasper Davis was born on December 27, 2024, at 10:21 am. He was 1 lb 5 oz and 11.6 inches long. He was just big enough to be immediately intubated and rushed to the NICU, a huge relief for his parents to know that he had a chance!

At 8 weeks old, he has already overcome necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) that led to sepsis, has had countless tests, pokes, X-rays, ultrasounds, blood transfusions, etc. He has also transitioned from a high-frequency ventilator (oscillator) to a conventional vent, and he has doubled his birth weight. He continues to grow, grow, grow! The biggest thing they are working on right now is tolerating feeds.

Josh is an EMT with EMSA and in the Army Reserves, and does not have more than a few days of paid time off from his job. Mattie is a site coordinator for Y Clubhouse, running afterschool and feeding programs in an underserved community, and her paid time off is close to running out. Malachi has been in the NICU for 60 days already and is likely not even halfway through his hospital stay. Josh has returned to work full-time and picks up extra shifts when he can, while Mattie has been able to be present for all of Malachi’s procedures and to keep up with the amazing doctors, nurses, and specialists that have been on his care team. The bills are beginning to pile up as they try to juggle all the things, so they are humbly asking for your help with living expenses and hospital bills while they navigate their new normal.

Mattie and Josh are already so very grateful for those of you who have brought meals, sent gifts, and prayed for Malachi! If you would like to support their family in any way, big or small, they would be overwhelmed by your generosity.