NEC Society

The Stanford Biodesign team is working to ensure their device is safe, non-invasive, practical, and accurate - more science and engineering are needed, but there is evidence and hope that this device could help us move toward a world without NEC.

Learn more and join us at NECsociety.org

Our families and clinicians know that a device that can identify NEC before it ever progresses would be transformative for our babies and community.

Our founder/executive director, Jennifer Canvasser, recently met with the team at Stanford Biodesign that is working to develop a new device that aims to identify which babies are highly likely to go on to develop necrotizing enterocolitis, when the babies still appear clinically healthy and well.

We need more science and better, innovative strategies to #preventNEC — and the brilliant minds at Stanford Mussallem Center for Biodesign are hard at work💛

We are supporting and nurturing the next generation of NEC scientists, and pediatric surgery research fellows dedicated to accelerating NEC research should apply for this award!

Applications are due March 31, 2026.

Apply at necsociety.org/pediatric-su...

We are thrilled to open our application for the NEC Society's Pediatric Surgery Research Fellow Award! Developed in partnership with the American Pediatric Surgical Association, the NEC Society awards $5000 to a pediatric surgery research fellow whose work aligns with the NEC Research Priorities.

To build a world without necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), we need to accelerate research, and we are so proud that the NEC Society is working tirelessly to support and propel science that is urgently needed to #preventNEC

Applications are open for our 2026 Early Career Faculty Research Award!

We are proud to fund a $5,000 research award for an early-career physician-scientist whose work advances the NEC Research Priorities.

There is an urgent need for more research on NEC, CHD, and how to protect babies like Leyden.

The NEC Society is working tirelessly to advance research, education, and advocacy to #preventNEC for all babies.

Learn more about cardiac NEC and join us at NECsociety.org

#CHDawareness #NECawareness

❤️Meet Leyden❤️

Leyden was born at 39 weeks with a “relatively simple” CHD. Leyden’s parents were told she had a 97% chance of survival and not to worry.

4 months later, Leyden’s family was blindsided when she tragically passed away from necrotizing enterocolitis.

With heart babies, as well as all premature and medically fragile infant, mother’s own milk offers the best protection against NEC. When mother’s own milk is not available, pasteurized donor milk offers the next best protection.

➡️ Term infants with CHD and NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis) can have abnormal blood flow patterns to the gut

➡️ Changes in blood flow from CHDs may compromise blood flow to the intestine, potentially increasing the risk of NEC

February 7-14 is Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) Awareness Week❤️

Babies with certain medical conditions, such as congenital heart defects (CHD), are at increased risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), even when they are born full term.

Leaders and advocates for infant and maternal health, from the NEC Society, UC Milk Bank, March of Dimes CA, CA Children’s Specialty Care Coalition, & Political Solutions met to improve collaborative efforts at the local, state, & national levels to #preventNEC.

Get involved at NECsociety.org

We are working tirelessly to help increase equitable access to human milk for all babies, and we must begin by prioritizing maternal health and lactation support in and beyond the NICU.

💛 Mother’s own milk provides the most protection against necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

When mother’s own milk is not available, pasteurized donor human milk is the next best option.

We’re so grateful for clinicians and scientists like Dr. Bautista, and we cannot wait to see the 2026 applicants!

➡️ Apply here: necsociety.org/early-career...

🌟Meet our 2025 Award Recipient, Dr. Geoanna Bautista🌟

Dr. Bautista is a neonatologist and assistant professor at @ucdavischildren.bsky.social. With the support of this award, she will launch a two-year research project aimed at accelerating our understanding of NEC pathogenesis.

Applicants are:

➡️ Within 5 years of fellowship completion
➡️ Member of the NEC Society Research Incubator
➡️ Able to provide a reference

Applications are due February 28, 2026

Applications are open for our 2026 Early Career Faculty Research Award!

We are proud to fund a $5,000 research award for an early-career physician-scientist whose work advances the NEC Research Priorities.

Apply for the Marshall Klaus Award on NEC Research by January 31, 2026, 11:59 PM CST!

necsociety.org/marshall-kla...

Help us honor Micah and celebrate Zachary here: www.facebook.com/donate/14328...

We are so grateful to everyone in our community helping us #preventNEC so we can build a world without this devastating disease for all babies🩵💛

Thank you for joining us in wishing a happy birthday to Micah and Zachary! ❤️

Micah and Zachary's parents, Jenn and Noah, have poured their grief and love into launching and growing the NEC Society so other families can have better outcomes.

Tragically, Micah passed away from complications of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) just before the twins’ 1st birthday. No matter how many years pass, the loss of Micah is forever devastating.

Join us in wishing a Happy Birthday to Micah and Zachary Canvasser 🩵💛

Today, Micah’s twin, Zachary is go-karting and having fun with friends and family — Micah should be, too💔

www.pas-meeting.org/2026-meeting/

Thank you to Medela and Infant Bacterial Therapeutics for sponsoring the NEC Club @pasmeeting!

If you plan to attend PAS in Boston, please RSVP for the NEC Club and Networking Session! pas-meeting.org/2026-meeting

#preventNEC

We’re grateful to lead the NEC Club at the @pasmeeting.bsky.social!

The NEC Club @pasmeeting.bsky.social  will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, and focus on care after a diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and the urgent need to improve long-term outcomes.

The NEC Society is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization, guided by empathy, compassion, and the vision of a world where every baby and family is protected from this cruel disease.

Read our inclusivity statement here: necsociety.org/nec-society-...