More Than Just a Name

November 9, 2010

by Joan Kincaid

Will at 2 weeks with MomHand to Hold volunteer Joan Kincaid knows the value of a doctor’s support during pregnancy and birth, especially when unexpected complications arise. This is evident by a significant gesture she made in honor of neonatologist, Dr. John Loyd. Joan shares that it was Dr. Loyd’s “genuine care and concern” for their baby “and the tremendous support he gave her and her husband during the most horrible time of their lives” that led them to name their son William Christopher Loyd Kincaid. However, this was not the first time a name was bestowed upon a fragile child in honor of a hero.

Like Will Kincaid, Dr. Loyd was born preterm. He came into this world at 30 weeks gestation by emergent cesarean section after his mother had a hypertensive stroke and seizure associated with eclampsia. Although, he did very well despite being delivered preterm, his mother did not survive the delivery. It was then that he received the name John Daniel Loyd after his doctor who ushered him safely into the world. This experience played a major role in his decision to enter neonatology professionally. Dr. Loyd is the father of five children, ages 3 to 17.

Today, Will Kincaid is three years old and his mother Joan has become an avid supporter of Hand to Hold’s mission. She currently uses extra time she has to volunteer for Hand to Hold and believes that volunteering with the organization “is a way that helping others is also helping herself” because talking to someone who understands what you are going through during this extremely difficult part of your life can make all the difference in the world.

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