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Thousands Expected to Celebrate New Jersey Miracles at Eighth Annual Miracle Walk Walk-a-thon to Benefit The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Saint Barnabas Medical Center planned for Livingston, NJ – When Jonathan and Hayley Hirschmann’s daughter was born at 25 weeks weighing 1 lb and 10 oz. fighting for her life, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, became her home for three months. In appreciation for the care their daughter received, they along with other NICU families began the Miracle Walk as a way to give back to the hospital that saved their children. Come and join the Hirschmanns and now 7 year old Lauren on Sunday, October 5, 2008 at 10:30 am, at the 8th annual Miracle Walk in Verona Park, Verona New Jersey. The Hirschmanns along with hundreds of other parents and former NICU patients will gather to celebrate life and raise money for the 56-bed Saint Barnabas Medical Center NICU. Since its inception, more than $2 million has been raised to support this highly specialized unit which provides the most advanced care for premature and ill newborns. Funds raised by the annual event are used to acquire the most technologically advanced items and equipment available – ensuring NICU babies at Saint Barnabas receive outstanding care and experience as little discomfort as possible. Equipment that has been purchased includes Giraffe Omnibeds, Ultrasound Transducers, NeoPuffs and Datascope Spectrum Monitors. As a Level III Regional Perinatal Center, the highest designation attainable, the NICU treats more than 1,200 infants annually for prematurity, low birth weight, acute illness, and congenital disorders. The NICU has one of the best infant survival rates among neonatal intensive care units in the nation. In fact, babies that are born at Saint Barnabas Medical Center 17 weeks early have twice the survival rate of those born at other hospital in the Vermont Oxford Network, a group comprised of more than 400 hospitals nationally and internationally. “The Miracle Walk Committee has honored us with its generous contributions and an ongoing effort to support the NICU,” says Shyan Sun, M.D., Director of Neonatology at Saint Barnabas. “We are overwhelmed by the members’ kindness and commitment.” The walk itself was created by Jonathan and Hayley Hirschmann along with other NICU families in appreciation of the care. Having had children in the NICU for an average of 71 days, this special group of parents knew firsthand that maintaining 24-hour care – with highly trained professionals and the most sophisticated newborn intensive care technology – was only possible with the support of friends and neighbors in the community. “The staff at the NICU devoted themselves with skill, love and patience to our daughter and to all of the babies like her,” says Mrs. Hirschman. “We knew that we had to give back to the wonderful place and people that had saved our daughter’s life.” The results of the families’ determination are nothing short of miraculous. The number of participants and the amount of money raised has grown by leaps and bounds since Miracle Walk’s inception, having grown from 450 walkers in 2001 and raising $100,000 to more than 2,000 walkers in 2007 and raising $400,000. The committee’s original goal of raising $1 million in 10 years was accomplished in half that time and with the support of dedicated family, local businesses, friends, staff, and others, they have been able to raise over $2 million in seven years. For more information about Miracle Walk, call (973) 322-4259, email miraclewalk@sbhcs.com or visit www.miraclewalk.com. Date: September 23, 2008 Saint Barnabas Contact: Samantha Anton, 973-322-5425 [ top ] |
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