Pratt’s Hill of Beans will donate a portion of sales to AtlantiCare Foundation

April 13 through 17

Pratt’s Hill of Beans, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, will donate a portion of its sales to the AtlantiCare Foundation April 13 through 17. Anne Pratt, co-owner of the café, said the contribution to the Foundation is one way she is expressing her gratitude to AtlantiCare for saving her life and the life of her newborn daughter.

Pratt suddenly developed preeclampsia, a pregnancy-related blood circulation problem, and Hemolysis (the destruction of red blood cells), Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelet count or HELLP, a life-threatening liver disorder, 38 weeks into her pregnancy.

Upon diagnosing Pratt with preeclampsia and HELLP, the team of doctors and specialists caring for her at the Center for Childbirth at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center (ARMC) Mainland Campus in Pomona decided the most appropriate treatment was to deliver her baby.

The care team induced labor. “My mom called the rest of my family, in case ‘things didn’t go well.’ They came in to see me one by one: my dad, step-dad, my best friend,” Pratt explained.  “But when my brother came in and I saw the look on his face; I realized that something was really wrong. Until that point, the entire care team did a good job of keeping me focused on getting better and staying calm,” she said.

ARMC’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) team was in the room when Pratt delivered her daughter, Mary, who weighed five pounds, nine ounces and was 19.5 inches long. “The baby was in distress,” explained Pratt. “As soon as she came out she wasn’t breathing. They whisked her away. I never got to hold her and my husband Dave didn’t get to cut the cord, but I was okay with that because they were focused on saving her.” Mary Pratt was in the NICU for six days. Anne explains “Mary is doing great now.”

Anne and Dave, who is also co-owner of the café, have decided to donate a portion of its sales April 13 to 17 to the AtlantiCare Foundation in appreciation for the care they received. “I want to make this donation in honor of ARMC’s staff and physicians who helped my daughter, Mary, and me,” said Pratt. “Mary and I might not have survived if it weren’t for the ARMC care team’s prompt diagnosis and treatment of my serious pregnancy complications. Really, there would be no Pratt’s without AtlantiCare. My family feels that AtlantiCare is amazing care.”

Pratt’s Hill of Beans is at 6106 Black Horse Pike, Unit B-4, Egg Harbor Township. Hours are Monday through Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.