Having a sick child in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) is a frightening experience. Families with sick children often
feel overwhelmed and unable to cope. Nurses and doctors provide the medical care for their babies, but these families often
need additional support and understanding to help them through their ordeal. Our signature Isabel’s Gift programs offer
families in the NICU a variety of helpful resources to assist them in their time of need, including:
- Comfort bags
with items such as water, a notebook & pen, moisturizing cream,
disposable camera, magazines/books, lip balm, and other useful
necessities; as well as pre-paid phone cards, free pet-sitting
services, restaurant coupons and other helpful “daily life” resources.
(NICU families often spend much of their time sitting by their baby’s
bedside while their daily lives fall by the wayside.)
- Information packets written by parents, for parents. In Surviving the NICU - A Practical Guide for Parents, former NICU parents offer their advice and share useful tips on coping with the NICU experience.
- Volunteer visits from hospital auxiliary volunteers to provide families a kind listening ear.
- Website
with resources including NICU information, personal stories and
experiences from other families, etc. - a place for families to obtain
on-going support during their NICU stay and after their child’s
released.
- Pink Heart Family emergency financial assistance grants
to help NICU families with transportation, car seats, and other
necessities. Pink Heart Family donations are small-dollar donations
designed to provide families immediate relief when they need it most.
- "Isabel's Gift corner
project creates a unique respite area for families in the NICU, with
specialized services including a computer with web access, snacks,
books and magazines, etc.
- Customized programs including Thanksgiving dinners, NICU Nurse Appreciation events, and other themed community and civic events.
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Isabel’s Gift volunteers honor and celebrate the dedicated work of local NICU nurses during our first annual NICU Nurse Appreciation Day in November, 2005. Click here to view the latest newsletter
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