Paramount Preemies Birthed Into Greatness

ABOUT DAKOTA

Our Story

My Name is Dakota and I was born 5 months premature at 22 weeks. I made my grand entrance into this world on January 2, 2017 weighing in at a whopping 1 lb.
I, even, went under 1 lb during my hospital stay at Hillcrest Hospital (Cleveland Clinic) in Ohio.

My parents did not expect me until May 2017, so, yes, I was 4 months early, but I was ready to meet my beautiful family.

I resided in the NeoNatal Intensive Care Unit for 141 days until I got big and strong enough to go home.

So, just like me, there are thousands of premature babies that come into the world and their families are not prepared. So, it is our mission to help them!

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OUR MISSION

My Kota Bear is a global company that provides services and goods for the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) families in our community. My Kota Bear’s mission is to bring awareness, education, and support to NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) families in our communities.

OUR IMPACT

Paramount Preemies Birthed Into Greatness

Paramount means "more important than anything else; supreme. When families give birth to a preemie baby, there is nothing more important than getting them well enough to come home and continue to thrive.

My Kota Bear's Goal

Our goal is to raise funds and collect items to give back to NICU families in communities by donating baby clothes (including preemie size), diapers, wipes, car seats, strollers, toiletries, formula, gas cards, gift cards, etc. Also, our goal is to provide education and awareness to help prevent pre-term labor and births.

Future plans for hospitals and parents

In the near future, we want to provide cameras in the NICU so that families can see their babies when they can not be with them. COVID-19 has restricted the amount of hospital visitors, adding stress from not being with their newborns. Cameras will offer real-time views via a website or phone app.

MAMA BEAR

By Shirley Smith

NOW AVAILABLE

One Black Mother's Fight for Her Child's Life and Her Own.

“Brave. Compelling. Provocative. ” —Gabrielle Union Wade, actress and New York Times bestselling author

In this moving memoir, Shirley Smith, wife of NBA Champion and All-Star J. R. Smith, tells the story of giving birth to one of the youngest premature babies to survive—using her experience to heighten awareness of the crisis of Black maternal and infant health and pay tribute to Black women’s resilience.

Purchase Mama Bear

Meet the Author

GET INVOLVED

We are incredibly grateful for every dollar that is contributed to My Kota Bear. You can make a one-time donation, sponsor our organization or an event or set up a recurring payment.

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