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More than 60 families took part in the Facebook Live event hosted by Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation. Families shared their stories and discussed what NICUSTRONG means to them. The NICUSTRONG Walk continues to help connect families and NICU graduates with each other and their care teams
Emmy’s Army, named for Emerson “Emmy” Luzzetti, participated in the virtual walk. Emmy was born on August 22, 2018 at 25 weeks of gestation, weighing 2 lbs., .5 oz. and measuring 14 inches long. Despite her small stature, Emmy possessed an enormous amount of strength. Upon her arrival, she let out the softest cry, and her neonatal team marveled at her tenacity before she was taken into the NICU. She began her NICU journey in the “Small Babies Unit,” where she was surrounded by the care and expertise of the exceptional team of doctors, nurses, therapists, and staff
Ramsey residents Kristi and Matt Luzzetti, Emmy’s parents, credit Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital’s specialized care to micro-preemies as the reason why Emmy is a happy and healthy two-year old today. “The NICU team was (and still is!) Emmy’s biggest cheerleaders, superheroes and family. We are forever grateful.
“This year’s third Annual NICUSTRONG Walk, although reimagined virtually, was inspiring and I am thankful to our NICUSTRONG community for their participation this year,” said Mark D. Sparta, FACHE, president and chief hospital executive, Hackensack University Medical Center, executive vice president, Population Health, Hackensack Meridian Health. “We were together in our desire and motivation to raise awareness and donations for our NICUSTRONG Fund. This walk is so very important because it raises money for important programs and the patient and family needs of our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center. Our NICU newborns are little miracles and with the help our community, they will have the best opportunity to grow up healthy and happy.
The virtual walk gained the support of several sponsors including PURE GOOD Foundation, Enfamil, Chiesi USA, Inc., and Angie Services. Teams will continue to fundraise through November in recognition of World Prematurity Awareness Month
“I am so grateful for our community’s partnership in raising funds for our virtual NICUSTRONG walk this year,” said Judy Aschner, M.D., clinical director of the Children’s Care Transformation Service, Hackensack Meridian Health and physician-in-chief of Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital. “Since the NICUSTRONG Walk’s inception, nearly $300,000 has been raised to support our families, important programs, and educational opportunities. Funds also support vital research in caring for infants and reducing the likelihood of lifelong lung problems. With the help of our community, we can make an impactful difference in the lives of these babies.”
Money raised has also helped fund several life-like manikins to be used for educational purposes, parent programs, and research. The latest effort focuses on much-needed research to help predict neonatal respiratory outcomes through the mother’s blood in the third trimester
“NICUSTRONG is a perfect example of our community coming together to reconnect, honor the NICU care team, and fundraise in support of such important initiatives,” said Helen A. Cunning, north regional president and chief development officer, Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation. “This year’s participation and success is such a testament to the compassionate care our health care heroes have provided to our smallest patients and their families during one of the most challenging times they faced. We are so proud to be a part of this wonderful community.
Led by Cedar Grove residents Joseph and Giselle Mongiello and their twin daughters, who were born at 28 weeks, the NICUSTRONG Committee kicked off this annual walk in 2018 to represent the strength of families, babies and the strong bond with the hospital team including physicians, nurses and other clinical and administrative team members. The NICUSTRONG Committee is comprised of NICU graduate parents and team members to help current NICU families, and fundraise to support the NICU at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital.
About Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health
Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health provides the most comprehensive and highest level of quality care to young patients in the state of New Jersey. The children’s network is comprised of two children’s hospitals – Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack and K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune – and a large network of pediatric subspecialists and pediatricians. Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health hospitals are the only two in New Jersey to be ranked among the top 50 in the nation for pediatric cancer care by U.S. News and World Report. Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital also ranks among the top 50 in the nation for pediatric neurology and neurosurgery. Visit www.hackensackmerdianhealth.org/kidsfor more information about Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health.
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