It was a full circle moment for Alexia Purkanto.

The 16-year-old from York recently returned to the WellSpan York Hospital neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where she spent the first 89 days of her life. A “micro preemie,” at birth she weighed a little under 2 pounds and was just 12 inches long, about the weight of two cans of soup and the length of a Barbie doll.

She was so tiny she needed a breathing tube and a ventilator to help her breathe as well as specialized care and monitoring, due to her early birth at just 26 weeks, or about 6.5 months gestation.

Alexia Purkanto, in the NICU, holding her mom's finger.

Today, Alexia, the daughter of Andri Purkanto and Sussy Tjandra, is an accomplished York Suburban High School junior, with two internships already under her belt, a chair position at the Family Health Council of Central PA Youth Board, a host of math and science academic awards, and her own company offering sustainable fragrance and home products.

The success of that fragrance company – Fragrance Gems Co. – allowed her to donate proceeds of $6,000 to the NICU, giving back in thanks for the care she and others have received there.

”My parents cannot stop talking about the support, compassion and just kindness that the hospital team showed them,” Alexia says. “They remember that time vividly.”

Natives of Indonesia, Alexia’s parents do not have family in the area, so the support and compassion of the NICU team was very important to them, Sussy says. The team was dedicated, transparent and, most of all, steadfast, guiding them every step of the way through their experience. She is proud that her daughter is giving back to the unit.

WellSpan neonatologist Dr. Michael Goodstein, division chief of the newborn medicine department, cared for Alexia when she was in the NICU.

“We are grateful to Alexia for her generous donation,” Dr. Goodstein says. “It is so wonderful to see how she has grown into a mature, kind young woman who is giving back to the place where her life began.”

THEN: WellSpan team members with Sussy Tjandra (at left) on the day that her daughter Alexia was discharged from the NICU in 2008, including Susan Prevas (second from left), Brittany Burd (holding Alexia) and Dr. Michael Goodstein (right).

NOW: Some of the same group gathered at Alexia's recent check presentation (from left): Sussy, Susan Prevas, Brittany Burd, Alexia and Dr. Goodstein

Alexia’s family has maintained ties with WellSpan since her birth. Her father is a member of the board of the WellSpan York Health Foundation, which oversees how gifts received in York County are used to support advancements in health care.

Alexia wanted her donation to be used however the NICU chose, so it went into a fund that supports equipment purchases, staff training, education scholarships for staff, and support for patients and parents, such as gift cards for gas, transportation or food.

From left: Susan Prevas, Elizabeth Purkanto, Andri Purkanto, Dr. Michael Goodstein, Alexia Purkanto, Sussy Tjandra, and Brittany Burd.

Alexia notes both of her parents have instilled in her the value of giving to the community.

“So, this is really special to me. My whole goal is to give back. I always knew I wanted to do that. Starting a business has enabled that. It’s really exciting,” says Alexia, who hopes to inspire others to consider giving in their own way.

“It’s very touching to see her initiative to give back,” her mother says, “and that she remembers where she came from and understands she wouldn’t be here without the sacrifices of the hospital and the community.”

If you would like to support a WellSpan NICU in your community, go here and find the foundation in your area. Use the designation drop down menu or comments box to direct your donation.