Our Story
Noelle's Light Co-Founders, Jodi & Alex Laughlin
“There is no easy way to say this…”
These are the words no expectant parent ever wants to hear. Yet, every day, an estimated 4,000 parents in the U.S. face the devastating news of a fetal diagnosis. In 2016, we became one of those families.
At 20 weeks pregnant with our daughter, we received devastating news: abnormally high levels of fluid surrounded her heart, signaling a major concern. In an instant, the joy and excitement of our pregnancy were replaced by fear and uncertainty.
What followed was a whirlwind of appointments, procedures, and emotional upheaval. We were in and out of doctors’ offices one, two, sometimes three times a week, navigating a carousel of hope and heartbreak as we sought answers.
At 24 weeks, our daughter was officially diagnosed with Hydrops Fetalis, a rare and severe condition with a poor prognosis. We entrusted our care to the team at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where we remained until we met our little girl.
Over the next six weeks, Jodi underwent four in-utero procedures in an effort to save our daughter’s life. Each procedure brought its own challenges, from overnight hospital stays to staggering financial costs. Balancing this care with time off work, we accumulated nearly $7,000 in out-of-pocket expenses – a burden that highlighted the harsh realities families like ours face.
On December 13, 2016, at 30 weeks gestation, Noelle Philomena Laughlin was born and passed away. Her name, inspired by the Christmas season, reflects hope and love.
Noelle’s passing brought unimaginable grief, but her life inspired a love we never knew was possible. That love drives our mission to light a path of hope and support for families navigating similar journeys.
We founded Noelle’s Light to ensure no family walks this path alone. Even in the darkest moments, the light will not be overcome.
– Jodi & Alex Laughlin
Co-Founders, Noelle’s Light
Our story doesn’t end here, check out our Milestones.