JOIN TEAM OWEN

As many of you know our baby boy, Owen was in the NICU at Hackensack Meridian Children's Hospital for 76 days after being born at just 28 weeks. Owen recieved a level of care between the teams of Doctors and NICU nurses that are second to none. For Sarah and I these very special people became like family and guided us through the darkest days and were by our side for each major milestone. We have walked every year since Owen's birth and would like to continue to show our support for other families going through what we had to endure. 

On September 10th, we will be participating in our familie's 4th annual NICU STRONG Walk 2023 at Van Saun Park in Paramus, NJ. All money raised will support the vital equipment and patient and family needs of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Hackensack Meridian Health Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital.

We decided to support this amazing cause because the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admits about 940 newborns each year, so the need is great for innovative treatment and care. Approximately 80 newborns weigh less than 1,500 grams (that is approximately 3lbs., 5oz!). To address their medical needs, the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital provides an array of services including hyper alimentation (intravenous nutrition), mechanical ventilation, body cooling for newborns and more for the best possible outcome and to help these newborns grow happy and healthy.

Since 2018 the money fundraised has provided:

-Life-like manikins for vital education purposes
-Several parent programs
-Vital research to help predict neonatal respiratory outcomes through the mother's blood in the third trimester
-A family support coordinator - funded in collaboration with March of Dimes - to provide valuable support and resources to families as they adjust to life in the NICU

New this year, NICUSTRONG funds will begin to support a new literacy initiative and the Beads of Courage program.

With your help, we can continue to support the needs of our #NICUSTRONG babies and their families!

Please consider supporting Team Owen in meeting our goal of $1,500.00 with a meaningful donation amount – $25, $50, $100 or any amount – will make a significant difference! More importantly we would love to have you there participating in the walk by our side with Owen and his fellow NICU graduates on September 10th. It is going to be a great day.
Thank you for your generosity and support. 

Join Team Owen or Donate Now by going to the website below:
http://give.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/goto/TeamOwen2023