I met Noah Canvasser when he was a resident and I was a fellow at the University of Michigan. His wife, Jennifer, was pregnant with twins. It was an exciting time. 

Unfortunately, their twins, Micah and Zachary, were born at 27 weeks and I was brought in when Micah developed NEC. Tragically, Micah passed away from complications of NEC just before the twins 1st birthday. It was the first time that I had a personal connection to a family devastated by this disease. 

Since then, I am proud to be a founding member of the NEC Society's Scientific Advisory Council and now a member of the Board of Directors. My job is to ensure that the NEC Society will continue to thrive and advance the research and awareness that are vital to finding ways to prevent and treat this disease. 

I've committed to raising $1,000 in December from friends, family, and my colleagues. Your support would mean a great deal to me. Thank you for helping us build a world without NEC.

Samir