Who we are

Lifelong friends with a shared experience.

Alicia Pielow Krol
& Angela Preston

We (Alicia and Angela) grew up together as cousins in a large, tight-knit family. After college we lived together as roommates for several years prior to marrying our husbands. Alicia had her first son Max, in September 2013, and spent 2.5 months wading through the NICU experience. Angela checked in on his progress, but never fully realized the day to day struggle. Six years later, in January 2019, Angela found herself in the NICU with Hope, and Alicia was there with an empathetic heart and boxes of extra soft tissues.

Alicia & Max

Alicia Pielow Krol was pregnant with her first child at 27 weeks she suddenly developed severe pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome requiring emergent delivery of her son, Max. Max was 2lbs and 2 oz at birth and spent a total of 71 days in the NICU. Through the ups and downs of the experience, she received excellent care and support that led her to want to give back. Now at 11 years old, Max is a happy, healthy fifth-grader with a 9-year-old younger brother, Alex.

Angela & Hope

Angela Preston was 25 weeks pregnant when she was admitted to Atrium Health Cabarrus hospital for fetal monitoring due to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Three days later, Hope was born weighing exactly 1 lb (450 g). Hope spent 16 intense days in the NICU, but despite best intentions and exhausting medical interventions, it became evident Hope would not survive. The NICU staff gently supported Hope’s family as they held onto Hope during her final hours.

Meet the Team

Angela Preston | Co-President

Angela Preston is the director of the Mebane Early Literacy Center at UNC Charlotte. She lives with her husband, Nate and 10-year-old daughter, Eloise. Before Hope, she experienced two pregnancy losses. She honors Hope by providing comfort to other families in the NICU.
Alicia Pielow Krol | Co-President

Alicia Pielow Krol is a Physician Assistant in an Atrium Health Urgent Care in South Charlotte. Along with her 11-year-old son, Max, she and her husband also have a nine-year-old son, Alex. She is looking forward to using her experience to help others in the NICU.
Andi Clay | Vice President

Andi Clay is a Nurse practitioner in the Atrium Health NICU. She met Angela while caring for Hope and supported her through her loss. They bonded during that time and remained close friends. Andi and her husband have six children and a beautiful baby granddaughter.
Martha Seger | Secretary

Martha Seger is a mom of five and NICU mom of three. Her three adopted children each spent time in the NICU. She experienced multiple miscarriages and supported other women dealing with loss. Martha has nonprofit experience and was the Resource Development Director for Habitat for Humanity.
Sandhya Govindaraj | Treasurer

Sandhya Govindaraj has two loving daughters (10 and 2) who fill her life with joy. She gave birth to perfect, twin boys Vetri and Nesan at 20 weeks gestation before saying goodbye. She has experienced multiple types of pregnancy loss and shares deep empathy for grieving moms.