Mile 11

In March 2022, Bree Anderson and Andre Apparicio were overjoyed to learn they were expecting twins. The pregnancy was going smoothly, and the couple celebrated with a gender reveal surrounded by friends and family. But at just 24 weeks, Bree began experiencing unexpected symptoms and was rushed to the hospital—already five centimeters dilated. Their babies, A’sir and A’sani, were born the next morning, weighing just over a pound each, and were immediately placed in the NICU.​

A’sani was transferred to the NICU at Manning Family Children’s eight days later after developing necrotizing enterocolitis, a severe intestinal disease common in premature babies. Despite the team’s efforts, she passed away shortly after arriving. The family was devastated, but they remained strong for A’sir, who also had to be transferred to Manning Family Children’s. He battled complications including blood loss, oxygen deprivation, and a heart defect. With careful treatment and a life-saving heart surgery, A’sir slowly began to recover.​

After 148 days in the NICU, A’sir was discharged in December 2022—the same day Andre proposed to Bree. He continued to grow stronger, eventually weaning off oxygen entirely. To honor A’sani’s memory, the family founded the A’sani Heartbeat Foundation to support NICU families and those who have experienced infant loss. Bree says one day she will tell A’sir about his twin sister—about her strength, her spirit, and the love that will always connect them. Today, A’sir is a thriving 3-year-old!