Meet Poppy, Alaska's 2026 Children's Miracle Network Champion

A surprise arrival, expert care, and a community of support: Poppy’s first weeks of life

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — When Melissa and Tyrel arrived for a routine prenatal appointment, they had no reason to expect anything out of the ordinary. But within hours, an uneventful pregnancy took an unexpected turn. Melissa was admitted to Providence Alaska Children's Hospital, and the next day, their daughter Poppy entered the world at just 33 weeks. She weighed 3 pounds 5 ounces, stretched 16 inches long — and was immediately perfect in her parents’ eyes.

Shortly after birth, Poppy was taken to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to be stabilized. Even so, Tyrel was able to experience an unforgettable first: holding his baby girl during Kangaroo Care, skin-to-skin. It was his first time ever holding a newborn, and NICU caregivers gently guided him step-by-step through the moment.

In those early days, the family’s world revolved around the hum of machines, the soft beeping of monitors, feeding tubes, and the uncertainty of how long Poppy would need to stay. Because of her size, she required a PICC line (peripherally inserted central catheter) for vital nutrients and oxygen support after the procedure. Melissa rarely left her side—reading to her, taking photos, and waiting for the moment she could finally hold her daughter, too.

When that moment came, the nursing team once again provided steady, compassionate support. They helped her with skin-to-skin bonding, answered every question with patience, and made sure Melissa and Tyrel stayed informed at all hours. When the couple couldn’t be in the unit, they checked on Poppy using the NICU camera system and called for late-night updates.

As the days passed, small victories fueled hope. With guidance from the lactation specialist, Melissa breastfed Poppy for the first time and continued pumping to support her feeds. Poppy gained weight—slowly, steadily. Tyrel changed his first diaper. Both parents learned to swaddle, bathe, and bottle-feed, important skills as Poppy progressed toward going home. Even on difficult days, staff found ways to bring joy, including dressing the babies in costumes for Halloween. Poppy, naturally, was a perfect little pea pod.

After four weeks, Poppy had grown strong enough to leave the NICU. The day she went home was one of celebration.

But life with a newborn doesn’t always follow a tidy script. Just a couple of weeks later, Poppy was rushed back to the hospital with a fever. She underwent a spinal tap and spent the night at the children’s hospital. Thankfully, she was discharged the next day—once again with the help of skilled and attentive caregivers.

The family’s challenges didn’t end there. When their hospital bill arrived, Melissa and Tyrel were stunned to learn that insurance would not cover Poppy’s NICU stay. Unsure where to turn, they were encouraged to apply for financial assistance. They submitted the paperwork, uncertain whether they would qualify.

Then came the news they desperately needed: Providence would cover the entire NICU stay.

For Melissa and Tyrel, it was more than financial relief—it was another example of the care, compassion, and support that had surrounded them from the moment Poppy arrived early. Their daughter’s first chapter in life was shaped not only by medical expertise, but by a community committed to helping families through their most vulnerable moments.