Elizabeth Miri | The Monarch Ranger
AUSTIN, TEXAS – In the heart of Central Texas, NICU graduates celebrated on April 21st with the nursing staff that cared for them as infants. The NICU, or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, is where babies born early or with health problems go for special care. This free event, hosted by Hand to Hold and St. David's Healthcare, gave the graduates a chance to cross the stage and celebrate overcoming such a difficult start to life.
“There is hope for your child, there are people who want to be there for you.” - Emily Fite, NICU Parent and Hand to Hold Volunteer
Over 1,600 people attended this heartwarming event, celebrating how far these families have come. Image Credit: CBS Austin
The event also hosted many fun activities such as live music, food, raffle prizes, and entertainment for the graduates, their families, and their previous care team members, with over 1,600 people in attendance. The event was full of celebration and thanks to the hard work of the hospital staff who touched so many lives.
Emily Fite, a parent, told CBS Austin “My daughter was born at 34 weeks at St. David's North,” and “She was immediately admitted to the NICU upon her delivery.” She went on to talk about how much Hand to Hold touched their lives saying “to have your newborn precious child taken away from you and put in an environment like that is incredibly distressing … Hand to Hold came to her bedside very quickly, they offered us emotional support."
Families get to walk the graduation stage and participate in fun games and activities. Image Credit: CBS Austin
Hand to Hold is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) support organization that aims to support parents with children admitted to the NICU. Not only does Hand to Hold provide personalized emotional support, but they also provide educational resources to parents with children admitted to the NICU.
This joyous celebration can provide hope to people who are currently fighting medical battles in the NICU by showing them that things can get better. Fite told CBS Austin that “there is hope for your child, there are people who want to be there for you.”
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND LEARN MORE
For more information on Hand to Hold, visit there website here. Special thanks to CBS Austin and St. David's Healthcare for hosting this event and sharing this story.
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