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Profiles In Giving:
“Before Lauren was born we never imagined a baby so small,” recalls Mr. Hirschmann. “And we had certainly never imagined such a baby could survive and thrive the way that she has.” As they watched their healthy 16-pound daughter with a mixture of pride and gratitude, the Hirschmanns came up with the perfect way to both celebrate the first birthday and to honor those who had helped to make “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 Hirschmanns approached the Saint Barnabas Medical Center Foundation with a plan for raising $1 million dollars by Lauren’s tenth birthday by holding an annual Miracle Walk at Verona Park. The Hirschmanns made a personal donation to cover any associated costs and then formed a committee to coordinate the event. The first walk, held on October 28, 2001, was attended by almost 500 people and just over $100,000 was raised. The second walk was held on October 6, 2002, and $168,000 was raised by the 1,000 people who attended. Mr. and Mrs. Hirschmann were delighted to see many other NICU families with children in strollers and wagons, all hoping to “give back” to the NICU. The NICU used the money raised to purchase more of the most technologically advanced incubators available. These incubators also have the added benefit of allowing family members unobstructed access to their baby. The NICU cares for more than 1,400 critically ill newborns each year; one of only 16 NICUs nationwide to care for more than 1,000 babies annually. “The Hirschmanns have honored us with a most generous contribution and an ongoing effort to support the NICU,” says Shyan Sun, M.D., Director of Neonatology at Saint Barnabas. “We are overwhelmed by their kindness and commitment.”
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Like most parents, Hayley and Jonathan Hirschmann looked forward to celebrating the first birthday of their daughter, Lauren. The occasion would be particularly meaningful because Lauren had been delivered three months prematurely and had spent 96 days receiving care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. 
