St. John's in Far Rockaway celebrates a New Year's treasure

One day after New Year’s Day, St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway welcomed its first baby of 2021. Rockaway residents Taniqua Dicy Bradley and fiancée, Thomas Franklin Witcher, said hello to their baby girl, Treasure Storm Witcher, at 6:35 a.m. She was born at 6 lbs., 12 oz, and 19.5 inches long.

The couple moved to the Rockaways seven years ago and have seen St. John’s staff in action even before Treasure’s birth. Bradley was diagnosed with preeclampsia, a potentially dangerous pregnancy complication associated with high blood pressure. “St. John's provided all the right and necessary tools for a successful pregnancy,” Bradley said in a new release.

Her pregnancy was a much-needed light in her life after losing her father to cancer and Covid-19 related complications last April. “For me, it was important to see a hospital like St. John’s offer a Labor and Delivery unit available to the people on the [Rockaway] Peninsula,” Bradley stated in the release. “As a patient, you become like family. Otherwise, I would have had to travel far to deliver my baby which would have been very challenging!” 

Hospital officials and staff commemorated Treasure’s birth with necessities for a newborn. Long Island-based Jzanus Home Care provided diapers, clothing and even a baby monitor. The parents said they were excited to bring Treasure home. She was expected to receive a Taniqua Dicy Bradley warm welcome from her three older sisters and dog, Lucky.