{"id":487,"date":"2026-05-14T06:35:25","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T06:35:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tampamovingjournal.com\/?p=487"},"modified":"2026-05-14T06:35:25","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T06:35:25","slug":"meet-the-2026-march-for-babies-tampa-bay-ambassador-family-in-the-vassells-we-excel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tampamovingjournal.com\/?p=487","title":{"rendered":"Meet the 2026 March for Babies Tampa Bay ambassador family: \u2018In the Vassells, we excel\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

BRANDON, Fla.<\/strong> – <\/span>The Vassell family lives by a specific motto: “In the Vassells, we excel.”\u00a0<\/p>

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It\u2019s a motto they use to tackle everything from daily chores to the daunting reality of having two micropreemies.<\/p>

The backstory:<\/p>

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Baby Aliyah is what many call a “NICU miracle.”\u00a0<\/p>

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Born at just 26 weeks, Aliyah was small enough to fit in the palm of a hand.\u00a0<\/p>

Today, at 19 months old, her mother Amber describes her as “petite but mighty.”<\/p>

Dig deeper:<\/p>

Aliyah spent 153 days in the Brandon Hospital NICU, but she wasn\u2019t the first in her family to fight that battle.\u00a0<\/p>

Aliyah’s older brother, Austin, was also a NICU baby, born at just 25 weeks.\u00a0<\/p>

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Courtesy: The Vassell Family<\/span> <\/p> <\/div><\/div>

Now a thriving five-year-old with a signature pair of glasses, Austin stands as a testament to the progress made in neonatal care.<\/p>

What they’re saying:<\/p>

For father Andrew Vassell, the transition from the fear of the NICU to the joy of being an ambassador is a surreal experience.<\/p>

“When you have never been to the NICU, it’s not even a thing on your radar,” Andrew said. “Once you become part of that family, it’s just such a large community. Having the opportunity to represent families that had to go through a similar experience… it’s just an amazing opportunity.”<\/p>

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Courtesy: HCA Florida Brandon<\/span> <\/p> <\/div><\/div>

Amber Vassell echoes that, noting that their role this year is about finding purpose in their past struggles.\u00a0<\/p>

“I just heard God telling me no matter the things you’re going to face, you’re going to count it joy,” Amber said. “Us becoming the ambassador family is just another example of counting it joy.”<\/p>

What’s next:<\/p>

The 2026 March for Babies Tampa Bay walk is happening this Saturday, May 16, at Raymond James Stadium.<\/p>