Girl born 3 months early reunites with Sisters Hospital's NICU staff 10 years later

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- It was a special reunion at Sisters Hospital as former NICU patients were reconnected with the nurses and doctors who welcomed them into the world. WIVB News 4 caught up with one local mom who said the staff at Sister's saved her daughter's life.

Gabbi Needham is a thriving 10-year-old. She loves dancing, performing and spending time with friends and her mom, Sandi.

"She's our miracle," Sandi told WIVB News 4.

That's an understatement. Gabbi was born at Sister's Hospital three months early.

"She was very sick," Sandi said. "They had all hands on deck with her. She was premature, 28 weeks."

"The baby was very premature," said NICU Nurse Manager Jennifer Mendola, who was also Gabbi's nurse at the time. "She had a lot of issues at birth and honestly the team wasn't sure if Gabbi was going to survive."

Mendola and the rest of the NICU staff were not going to give up on her. After 107 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Gabbi was finally healthy enough to go home.

"We didn't know if she was going to make it or not and here we are today," Sandi said.

10 years later, Sandi and Gabbi are reconnecting with the people who saved Gabbi's life.

"It's truly one of the memories I will remember forever," Mendola said. "Being the provider, the nurse to take care of this family, it really validates what I do. And I can see the great work the team in general did for Gabbi and Sandi."

On Saturday, dozens of families were reunited with the nurses and doctors who treated their babies in the NICU.

"We spend days, weeks, months with the family, but we don't really know what happens when they go home," Mendola said. "This is a great way to reconnect and to see what the kiddos are doing in school, what activities they're in, how they're thriving and how they're growing. It reflects the impact of the care that is provided at Sisters."

Sisters of Charity Hospital's NICU provides care to around 700 babies every year. These healthcare heroes make it possible for children to grow up healthy and ready to take on life, which is exactly what Gabbi is doing.

"Thank you for all you did for me.," Gabbi said. "If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be here today."

"I always tell them, I can't thank them enough," Sandi said. "We're going on 10 years and the care that they gave both of us, my family and her, it was amazing, it really was."