This Valentine’s Day, volunteers at Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City teamed up with the March of Dimes to bring a touch of love and joy to families with newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Recognizing the emotional challenges that come with having a baby in the NICU, these compassionate individuals crafted tiny, hand-knit hats adorned with Valentine’s Day themes for the infants.
In addition to the hats, photographers—who themselves have experienced the NICU journey—captured precious moments of these little ones, providing families with beautiful keepsakes. The resulting images were both heartwarming and uplifting, showcasing the resilience of these tiny fighters.
Furthermore, the March of Dimes volunteers facilitated a special exchange of handmade valentines between families. The NICU staff created charming cards featuring baby footprints, which served as heartfelt messages from the babies to their parents. This thoughtful gesture brought smiles to faces that needed a reason to celebrate.
Rebecca Keunen, a NICU Family Support Coordinator with the March of Dimes, shared, “Every day spent with a child in the NICU can be daunting, particularly during holidays when families miss out on the usual joy of home celebrations.” To help ease this burden, hospital staff assisted parents in crafting love letters to their little valentines.
One proud set of parents wrote to their son, “Happy Valentine’s Day, Jamie! You are the best Valentine we could ever ask for. We love you more than words can express and can’t wait for all the fun memories our family will create together!” Meanwhile, a loving letter from the parents of premature triplets read, “On this Valentine’s Day, we feel so blessed to have three precious new valentines to cherish. We couldn’t have anticipated how deep our love for you would grow. We hope this love helps you grow stronger so we can all be together at home soon! Love, Mommy & Daddy XOXOXO.”
As families navigate the uncertainties of prematurity, which can lead to various health concerns—including breathing issues, vision impairment, and developmental delays—these celebrations provide a much-needed respite from stress. The ability to honor the holiday allows parents to feel a sense of normalcy in their challenging situation.
Another set of parents expressed their pride and gratitude to their daughter, writing, “Happy Valentine’s Day, Eliana! You have been surrounded by love and prayers from our family, friends, and even strangers. We are so incredibly proud of you.”
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In summary, the heartfelt gestures of volunteers during Valentine’s Day have brought joy and connection to NICU families, helping them celebrate love in the midst of uncertainty.