Former NICU Mom Starts Henry's Heroes to Support Parents in Need

Gina Lomheim, a former CentraCare - St. Cloud Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) mom, knows firsthand the challenges parents face during and after a NICU journey. Now, she's channeling her experience into a mission of hope and support through her nonprofit, Henry's Heroes — a tribute to her son, Henry, and the NICU staff who played a vital role in his survival.

"The heroes are the NICU staff. I thank and pray for them every day. Without them, Henry would not be here," Gina shared.

A Rollercoaster Start

Gina's journey began when an emergency appendectomy at 25 weeks and four days pregnant with her third child resulted in a major complication. With a punctured uterus, her medical team was hoping to get Gina to 34 weeks before delivery. CentraCare Neonatologist Edward Martin-Chaffee, MD, met with the Lomheim family to prepare them for a possible NICU journey.

Henry was born prematurely at 26 weeks and six days — 14 weeks before his due date — on Oct. 13, 2022. Weighing just 2 pounds and 7.5 ounces, his early arrival marked the beginning of an 87-day stay in the NICU.

"There were days where I'd get to the hospital and [Henry] wasn't doing well. They had to resuscitate him or he needed blood. Things happen fast," said Gina, a nurse with the Albany School District.

At first, going home each night without Henry was one of the hardest parts. She detailed how her heart was in two places.

A NICU nurse offered Gina advice that stuck with her. "Henry won't remember the days in the NICU, but your other kids will. We've got Henry. Go be a mom to your other kids because that's who will remember."

The mother of three felt like she connected the most with the people who cared for her son. "I always tell families to get to know the staff because they are the eyes and ears when you're not there."

Balancing Family and NICU Life

Living in Farming Township on the outskirts of Richmond, 45 minutes from the hospital, Gina developed a new routine. She'd send her two older children Harrison and Madelyn to school and daycare each morning before heading to the NICU to spend the day with Henry. On weekends, her husband, Kris, an electrician for Melrose Electric, joined her.

"Kris had to work through all of this. It was hard for him to be apart, but he also knew his role was to provide for our family," Gina explained. "When you're in the NICU, your world stops, but the rest of the world keeps going."

Throughout Henry's NICU stay, the Lomheim family added 8,000 extra miles to their vehicle. Despite Gina and Kris both having good jobs, the financial strain of medical bills and gas prices began to mount.

Their local community stepped up in remarkable ways. "We never set up a GoFundMe or directly asked for money. Around Christmas, the Farming Lions drove to our house and handed us a $1,000 check. I had tears in my eyes," Gina said. "I went months without having to buy gas."

Founding Henry's Heroes

That generosity inspired Gina to pay it forward. After Henry was discharged on Jan. 8, 2023, she partnered with four other women in her community — Rachel Burg, Danielle Atkinson, Rachel Tschida and Vicki Burg — to establish Henry's Heroes.
"It started around a kitchen table. We all have busy mom brains and work outside of the home. We wanted to give back to NICU families," Gina said.

Their first major initiative was a fundraising walk held at their local church. Over 500 people attended, with community members donating food, T-shirts, and organizing kids' activities. Families also could purchase a poster featuring a "then and now" photo of their NICU graduates, displayed along the walk route.

"We had 60 or 70 posters. It was very emotional. I learned this year that it's a lot of closure for families," Gina said.

Their second annual walk attracted more than 700 people. They are expecting an even bigger turnout for this year's event slated for June 7.

Since its founding, Henry's Heroes has raised about $80,000 and helped approximately 20 Central Minnesota NICU families with medical bills, gas cards, groceries and other essentials. The organization also educates families on available resources, such as working with banks to request financial forbearance during difficult times.

Families can be nominated for assistance online. The only eligibility requirement is that they live in Central Minnesota and are currently navigating their NICU journey.

Impact in the NICU

NICU Director Diane Pelant, RN, MSN, CCRN, has seen firsthand the profound impact Henry's Heroes has on families in the unit.

"One family with a premature infant was overwhelmed by the emotional and financial stress of their situation," she shared. "They told us how much it meant to have one less worry during such a difficult time and how the support from Henry's Heroes brought them immense relief, allowing them to focus entirely on their baby's recovery."

For another NICU mother, the support meant being able to stay close to her newborn son as he received intensive care. With the help of Henry's Heroes, she was there for every milestone. "Each milestone, no matter how small, gave her the strength to stay positive during a very trying period," Diane said. "That generosity will never be forgotten."

A Busy Life with Henry

Today, Henry is a lively 2-year-old who loves sports, tractors and keeping up with his older siblings.

"He's in the busy toddler phase…getting kind of sneaky and trying to find his place," Gina said.
Through Henry's Heroes, Gina is determined to honor the NICU staff who saved her son's life and ensure other families feel supported in their most challenging moments.

"I still don't know if I have fully healed from Henry's NICU journey," Gina explained. "But every time I walk through those doors to help another family, I leave with my cup full because I was able to give advice or just sit and listen to a mom or dad who is going through something that nobody can prepare you for."

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