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New Jersey Families Celebrate Their Miracles at Livingston, N.J. -- When Isabella Soto was born last July 1, 2004, she was too small for even the preemie clothes. Tipping the scales at only 14.2 ounces – making her the second smallest infant to survive in New Jersey – Isabella’s wardrobe consisted of “micro” preemie garments and several outfits created by one of her four nurses at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. “She was smaller than a Barbie doll,” her mother Vivian, recalls. “My wedding ring went over her entire wrist. She looked just like a little bird.” Now, more than a year later, Isabella’s parents and physicians report that she is meeting every milestone for her corrected age (subtracting for the three and a half months of prematurity), and appears to have no residual health problems. On Sunday, October 9, the Fifth Anniversary Miracle Walk will be held to benefit the 56-bed NICU at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston. As a Level III Regional Perinatal Center, the highest designation attainable, the NICU treats more than 1,400 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 New Jersey and the nation. The Miracle Walk was created by a group of parents who are very thankful that the high-quality compassionate care provided by the Saint Barnabas NICU was available when their children were born. They know firsthand that maintaining this kind of 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 committee is made up of a group of parents who met while their children were in the NICU. They wanted to help families in similar situations, and thought the best way to support the NICU and involve the community was to create a walk. Last year, more than 2,000 people gathered in Verona Park for Miracle Walk and more than $300,000 was raised for the Saint Barnabas NICU. To date, the Miracle Walk has raised more than $800,000 to help maintain technologically advanced newborn intensive care equipment and services. The Fifth Anniversary Miracle Walk will take place Sunday, October 9, 2005, rain or shine, at 10 a.m. in Verona Park, Verona, NJ. The scenic route follows a stroller-friendly path around the park. Participants may walk any distance that is comfortable for them. By participating, you help celebrate all of the miracles that happen every day in the Saint Barnabas Medical Center NICU and help ensure they continue to happen. For more information about Miracle Walk, call (973) 322-4259, email miraclewalk@sbhcs.com or visit www.saintbarnabas.com. Date: August 12, 2005 Contact: Samantha Anton, 973-322-9904 [ top ] |
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