The KNOM Radio family grew by one a few weeks ago: Program Director Laura Collins and husband Jeff welcomed their second son on April 19th! Amos Noel Collins was born at 1:15pm, weighing 7 pounds 14 ounces and measuring 19 inches long. Both mother and child are healthy.
Laura and Jeff had originally intended to welcome their child at the Nome hospital, but as Amos’ expected delivery date came and went — and more than a week elapsed — the local hospital could no longer accommodate them. The Nome hospital won’t deliver babies later than 41 weeks into pregnancy. His parents were forced to relocate to Alaska’s hub city of Anchorage, where medical services are more comprehensive.
Laura and Jeff’s story — of having to go to Anchorage for basic medical needs — is an extremely common one in rural Alaska. Healthcare trips requiring patients to criss-cross the state, or further, are facts of life for Western Alaskans.
Although it wasn’t intentional on the part of his parents, Amos’ name is perhaps a subtle nod to life in Alaska: his initials (A.N.C.) are also the same as the three-letter airport code for his birthplace: ANC.
We invite you to join us in prayers for young Amos and his happy, and proud, parents.
photo above: Amos Noel Collins, born April 19.
