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Miracle 8 Foundation
Non-profit organization
Miracle 8 Foundation is a Connecticut-based non-profit organization located in the town of Windsor. Miracle 8 was founded in 2023 in loving memory of our beloved twin daughter, Miracle Malaya, who was born prematurely at 31 weeks on November 1st, 2022. Despite her brief time with us—just eight precious days—her impact was profound. Miracle passed away on November 8th, 2022, but her spirit continues to inspire us. In her honor, we established the Miracle 8 Foundation shortly after her passing, with the mission of providing support, resources, and compassion to families facing similar challenges. Our hope is to create a lasting legacy that not only honors Miracle but also brings comfort and care to those navigating the heartache of premature birth and pregnancy and infant loss. Through this foundation, we aim to turn our grief into action, making a positive difference in the lives of others.
(860)543-9712
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MIRACLE'S Story
The Why Behind: Miracle 8 Foundation
Miracle Malaya was born on [November 1st, 2022] at 31 weeks weighing just 2lbs 11.6oz. Miracle is a twin sister to Faith. Miracle and Faith are one of the unique types of twins out there. They are Monochorionic-Monoamniotic twins, mono-mono(for short) twins are very uncommon, representing approximately 1% of identical twins & 0.1% of all pregnancies. Each year only around 300 women in the United States have these kinds of twins. Baby (B) Miracle at the time was born with multiple structural abnormalities. Doctors described it as something they had never seen before occurring with mono-mono twins. Through the ultrasound, what they saw was that she had a hole in her stomach, her spine was curved, her bladder was on two separate sides, and a hole in her heart. Thankfully she did not have that hole in her heart because it was one of the biggest concerns that doctors had and it meant she would have to have surgery 12 through 24 hours of life. On [ November 7th, 2022] Miracle went into surgery, her father and I waited 6 and a half hours not knowing what the outcome would be. When the doctors came in the room they explained how amazing she had done. Later that night they started to see that her legs were turning purple so they released some stitches which was a swift process.[November 8th, 2022…] We came into the NICU that morning and, Miracle had gone in for a procedure to release all her stitches because she wasn’t getting enough oxygen to her legs. Miracle's father and I got to see her before we had something to eat that afternoon. The doctors had said, "She is just recovering from her surgery and her body is still paralyzed from all the medication." Once we left not even 10 minutes later I got a call from her doctor telling me, “It looks like Miracle is not going to make it and you should come back."When we arrived back at the NICU, Miracle had been in a single procedure room and was surrounded by doctors and nurses. Her doctor asked, “If her heart rate completely drops and there is no heartbeat at all, do you want us to pump her heart?” She was so tiny and fragile that pumping her heart could only mean breaking her body with little success in resuscitation. Together her father and I choose to not pump our daughter's heart and keep her whole. As time passed, they only described her body as getting worse. She was barely getting any oxygen to her legs, her body was turning blue and purple, looking so cold and lifeless. Later that evening her father and I made the hard decision to take her off all machines and send her off to be free. This became the hardest thing to do in our lives. Miracle passed away in her father's arms that night at 6:34 pm.
Destiny Warner
President
The proud founder and executive director of Miracle 8 Foundation. Destiny was born and raised in Windsor, Connecticut. She is a proud mother of twin daughters, Miracle and Faith. She graduated from Windsor High School in 202,0, where she later pursued a career in esthetics.
Destiny is now a Licensed Skin Care Specialist. Destiny has emerged as a dedicated advocate for black maternal health and infant loss, drawing from her personal experiences during her pregnancy journey and the profound loss of her daughter. Throughout her personal and professional life, she has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to uplifting and supporting
those around her.
Kyesha Buckham BSN,RN
Board Chair
A NICU Nurse and CEO of The Collective Space located in Windsor, CT.
Kyesha earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Saint Joseph in 2022. She brings valuable experience as a NICU nurse, dedicating herself to caring for newborns and their families. Advancing her education by pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.
An esteemed Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing member, underscoring her commitment to the nursing profession.
As the founder and owner of The Collective Space, Kyesha combines her nursing background with her entrepreneurial vision to establish a distinctive co-working space tailored for health and wellness professionals. Her transition from clinical practice to creating a hub for collaboration and innovation reflects her passion for enhancing community wellness and supporting the growth of others in her field.
Francesca Torres
Board Secretary
Born in Harlem, New York. She is the hub Manager/Event Coordinator for North Hartford Partnership located at Swift Factory in Hartford, CT.
One fun fact about Francesca is as a young child, she would watch cooking shows and that's how she learned how to cook.
Her connection to or interest in supporting NICU families and those navigating pregnancy and infant loss comes from her own experiences from infant loss with her second child, Noah, due to medical complexities.
Kareena McCalla
Board Treasurer
Kareena was born in Hartford, Connecticut, but spent my early childhood in Spanish Town, Jamaica. At the age of five, she returned to Hartford.
She is a Senior Unit Marketing Manager at Chartwells Higher Education, overseeing the development, implementation, and evaluation of marketing programs for three colleges and universities across Connecticut. She has an identical twin sister, who has been an amazing and unique part of her life!
In early 2023, Kareena experienced two devastating pregnancy losses—the first due to an ectopic pregnancy and the second from a missed miscarriage. These events were profoundly challenging, but her healing journey took a significant turn in January 2024 when she attended her first Miracle 8 Foundation meeting. The organization quickly became a cornerstone of her recovery, offering vital support and understanding during an incredibly difficult time. After attending every meeting and event since then, she felt compelled to deepen her involvement with Miracle 8 Foundation because, while pregnancy and infant loss are heartbreakingly common, they remain topics that are rarely discussed openly. This silence highlights a glaring gap in the support available for those navigating one of the most painful experiences of their lives. By working with this organization, she aims to help create a safe space for others to find comfort, connection, and healing.