Evan and Liz Phillips Return to NICU to Give Back After Son’s Journey
LOS ANGELES — Two years ago, Evan Phillips, a relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and his wife, Liz, faced a tumultuous emotional journey as their son, Beau, was born seven weeks prematurely. After a 15-day stay at the Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s NICU, they finally brought Beau home on May 5, 2023. This week, the couple made a heartfelt return to the NICU, bringing gifts like books and baseball cards for families currently in similar situations.
As they walked the familiar maze-like hallways, memories flooded back. Liz, reminiscing about hours spent reading to baby Beau, brought the same books that helped normalize their experience. “It kind of normalized him as a kid, right?” she reflected. The couple gifted books to other families, fostering connections born out of shared challenges.
During their visit, they met current NICU families, including Daniel Salazar, whose son was born weighing just 1 pound, 11 ounces. Salazar expressed admiration for the Phillipses’ story, drawing hope from their journey. The couple also spent time with 10-year-old Pablo Escobar, a Dodgers fan facing his own health challenges. Together, they opened baseball cards, a ritual Phillips began with Beau that he wanted to share.
Evan and Liz have embraced their story and are committed to giving back. Their fundraising efforts aim to support the NICU, a "full-circle" moment for the proud parents. Now, with a healthy 2-year-old Beau showing early signs of a love for baseball, the Phillips family is grateful for the help they received and the community that rallied around them during a time of great uncertainty. “You just keep making progress,” Evan said, emphasizing hope for parents still navigating the NICU experience.
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