Foresight for Future Planning

While in their mid-twenties, Nick and Jodi Zerillo made a decision to include Children’s Wisconsin in their wills. Jodi, who grew up in Green Bay, always had an affinity for the hospital. After tying the knot and prior to having kids of their own, the Zerillos purchased a motorcycle. With this risky purchase as the impetus, they began crafting their wills.

Never would they have predicted that years later they would become beneficiaries of their own good will. In 2006, while in for a routine ultrasound, they learned that their third child, Angelina, had a birth defect. This defect, an omphalocele, was causing Angelina's internal organs to grow outside her body in a bubble on her belly.

While discussing their options with their physician, they posed the question, "What would you do if you were in our situation?" Their doctor responded, "If it were my child, I'd go to Children's." Nick and Jodi acted upon that advice.

They met with doctors at Children’s Wisconsin and the Fetal Concerns Center, who specialize in high-risk pregnancies and newborn care. They eventually made the decision to give birth in Milwaukee, offering little Angelina the best chance at life. With speedy access to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and medical specialists, Angelina resiliently recovered from her two corrective surgeries.

Making Children's their home for six weeks, Nick and Jodi's firsthand experience only solidified the decision they had made years ago to designate Children's in their wills.

Today, Angelina is a six-year-old spitfire, who loves to play softball with her older sisters Gabriela (11) and Sophia (10).

Surrounded by women, Nick, as the only man in the Zerillo house, has learned to focus on what's important in life. He's cherishing the small moments each day, taking part in impromptu tea parties and coaching his girls in softball.

As Nick explains, "Count your blessings and think about how you can pay it forward. Take a moment to reflect on how you can give back."

The Zerillos continue to show their generosity, giving of their time, offering support as volunteer peer counselors to other families at Children's facing similar situations.