San Diego , California ( CNN ) -- Twenty-four weeks pregnant , Veronica Pacheco went to the emergency room last October with a hacking cough that made it hard to breathe . Tests found she had H1N1 flu , and doctors put her in a coma so her body could continue the gestational process without expending additional energy . `` My life changed forever after that , '' Pacheco said . Six weeks later -- 10 weeks before full term -- her unborn baby 's vital signs dropped and doctors performed an emergency C-section . `` When I woke up , my husband said , 'We had to take out the baby ' and I immediately clutched my stomach , fearing the worst , '' she said . `` But he settled me down and [ said ] , 'He 's OK , he 's down in the NICU . '' Born 2½ months early , Noah Pacheco weighed less than 3 pounds and was immediately put in the neonatal intensive care unit ( NICU ) -- a vital step for premature babies but often financially and emotionally stressful for families . The Pachecos found some relief with the help of Dr. Sean Daneshmand and his nonprofit Miracle Babies . The group provides financial assistance for items such as housing and medical expenses , baby supplies and transportation costs . `` To see people hearing there 's something wrong with their baby , and then to worry about everything around them -- I mean , life does n't stop . You still have to make your mortgage payments , '' said Daneshmand , 41 . An obstetrician specializing in high-risk pregnancies since 2002 , Daneshmand had watched families struggle to cope with the financial pressures of having a child in the NICU . But in 2004 , his wife had complications with her pregnancy that threatened both her and her unborn child . Though Daneshmand had the medical knowledge , support and financial stability to delay a very premature birth -- his daughter was ultimately born six weeks early -- the experience shook him and gave him a new perspective of what his patients go through . `` What we went through was so traumatic , but it 's nothing compared to many of my patients , '' he said . `` I wanted to take some of the suffering that these women go through away from them so they can really focus on their baby . '' For years , Daneshmand gave patients money out of his own pocket before he started Miracle Babies in November 2009 . Now most of the group 's funding comes from individual donors and small corporate sponsors . So far , it has helped 80 families in California and across the country , including the Pachecos . `` They helped us with our mortgage , with gas , '' said Veronica Pacheco 's husband , Mike . `` It was huge for us . '' Families apply for assistance from Miracle Babies through hospital social workers . The application requires proof of financial need , and the baby must be in the NICU for at least two weeks . The group has n't rejected anyone yet . `` These are families that ... [ are ] in a time of crisis [ and ] now need extra help . And that 's what we 're about , '' Daneshmand said . While families supported by the group are primarily located in southern California , they do not have to live in the area to receive aid . Families in the Midwest , Louisiana and on the East Coast have been helped by the program . The average amount a family receives is $ 1,200 ; it can be more depending on circumstances . So far , Miracle Babies has provided a total of $ 70,000 in assistance . If the group 's monetary support left an impression on families , so has Daneshmand 's compassion . `` Dr. Daneshmand made me feel very at ease , '' said first-time parent Sofia Diouri , who at just 24 weeks pregnant had to have an emergency C-section earlier this month due to excessive bleeding . `` He made me feel like everything was going to be OK , even though it could have gone tragic in a matter of seconds . '' With her less-than-2-pound daughter Mya hooked up to a breathing apparatus and several IVs , Diouri said , `` It 's hard seeing her struggle . ... You do n't think all these problems are going to happen . But it 's all real life now and it is really hard . '' Miracle Babies helped ease some of that suffering for Diouri and her partner , Roy Coronado . The organization paid for housing near the hospital so they would n't have to travel hours each day to be with their daughter -- something they could n't have afforded on their own . For Daneshmand , the main goal is to help these families be happy , healthy and together . `` I want to see others be happy . ... That 's what drives me , that 's what makes me get up in the mornings ... that 's what makes me want to do more , '' he said . `` I ca n't think of really any other time in one 's life where you need someone to be there for you . '' Want to get involved ? Check out the Miracle Babies website and see how to help .
Miracle ##s helps families cope with financial stress of premature childbirth . Dr. Michael Murphy started nonprofit after giving families money out of his own pocket . The group has helped 80 families across the country since November 2012 . Individual donors and small corporate sponsors fund the program .