UMass Memorial NICU Parent and Family Advisory Council

01/03/2025

Happy New Year! We are reflecting on the holiday season in the NICU this year, including our first Polar Express night! Families and staff were free to enjoy some “Hot Hot Chocolate,” siblings made some special Polar Express crafts, and the babies had the opportunity to ride the “Polar Express” itself!

Thank you to Project Sweet Peas for helping make this happen! PSP generously donated the activities and a keepsake Polar Express copy for families to read to their little one, making it a memorable night this holiday season in the NICU!

12/09/2024

Hello to our NICU community! We hope you are enjoying your holiday seasons so far.

As the winter holidays approach, we want to let you know that we ARE fundraising again for the NICU families spending their little one's first holiday season in the NICU. Your donations last year were so helpful in bringing joy, comfort and hope to the unit.

Families had gifts to open for the winter holidays that could be used to help in the NICU and beyond once discharged. We hope to provide the same experience again this year, and we need your help!

We are appreciative of all contributions and the continued support you give to NICU families past, present, and future.

Check out the link to view our JustGiving page, and please share!! Thank you!!

Help UMass Memorial NICU Parent and Family Advisory Council raise money to support UMass Memorial Health

11/17/2024

11/17/2024

🌟 Today is World Prematurity Day! 🌟

For NICU families and those who care about premature babies, today is a special opportunity to honor, support, and raise awareness for the tiniest fighters. Here are 10 meaningful ways to celebrate:

1️⃣ Wear purple to show solidarity with preemies and their families.
2️⃣ Light a candle in honor of babies born too soon.
3️⃣ Donate to neonatal charities or hospitals supporting preterm care.
4️⃣ Share your story on social media to raise awareness and inspire hope.
5️⃣ Join local events, like walks or fundraisers, to connect and support the cause.
6️⃣ Thank healthcare heroes who care for premature babies in the NICU.
7️⃣ Organize a donation drive for preemie essentials like clothing or blankets.
8️⃣ Educate yourself and others about prematurity and its lifelong impact.
9️⃣ Volunteer at neonatal units or family support groups when possible.
🔟 Shine purple lights at home or in your community to show your support.

Every small act helps make a big difference for premature babies and their families. 💜 Let’s come together today to celebrate their strength and resilience!

04/18/2024

Last year, during Nurses' Week, we shared all of your wonderful words of appreciation and support for the nurses you know, are, and who have helped you or your family. It meant SO much to the staff to see all your beautiful messages. This year, we would love to do it again!!

For those of you who are new to the page, here's the scoop: As Nurses' Week approaches, the unit is working on a way to share the community's appreciation with the UMass NICU nurses. To participate, comment or send a DM with:
- a shoutout to nurses you know or have had (it does not need to be a specific nurse!)
- if you are a nurse, what nursing means to you
- anything else you would want our nurses to hear!

Please remember that this is a public page, so if your shoutout contains personal information, sent a direct message to this account so it can reach our staff directly. The messages will be shared on the unit (not online), and we will keep them anonymous to protect your privacy!

Thank you, NICU Community!

12/14/2023

On this last night, we hope everyone in our NICU community who celebrates has had a Happy Hanukkah!

12/11/2023

Hello NICU community!

We are about halfway to our goal for the NICU holidays, with a couple weeks to go before our delivery date! Thank you to all who have donated so far- we are blown away by the generosity of this community💜

There is still time to donate, as our members will be packing the bags next week! All donations big and small are appreciated, as well as sharing it with your own community! Thanks everyone, and happy holidays!

Help UMass Memorial NICU Parent and Family Advisory Council raise money to support UMass Memorial Health

11/27/2023

Wow! We are already 1/3 of the way towards our goal!

For those of you who haven’t seen, we are looking to provide winter holiday gift bags to the families spending them in the NICU this year! Visit the Just Giving page below to see what the bags will contain and how you can help bring holiday cheer to the families on the unit this year! Thank you❤️💙

Help UMass Memorial NICU Parent and Family Advisory Council raise money to support UMass Memorial Health

10/31/2023

These NICU babies color our world!🖍️❤️

05/03/2023

What words come to mind when you think about nurses?

So far in your shoutouts, we've seen powerful words such as "angels," "dedicated," and "family."

Share what word comes to mind for you below!

05/01/2023

Use the button below to direct message a shoutout that will be shared with the NICU nurses at UMass!!

05/01/2023

Hello, NICU community!👋

Nurses' Week is coming up, and as many of you know, nurses are a crucial part of a NICU care team! This year, we are working on a little project to celebrate nurses for all that they do for patients and families in the NICU, and we need your help!

We are asking for community members to share some shoutouts and words of thanks for nurses. This can pertain to nursing as a whole or a special nurse you know. If you ARE a nurse, you can participate too! Please DIRECT MESSAGE (do not comment) to participate! Some of the prompts include:

❤️ sharing a story about how a nurse has impacted you
❤️shouting out/giving words of thanks to a nurse, nurses, or nursing as a whole
❤️What nursing means to you and your family
❤️What BEING a nurse means to you
❤️A word to describe or one you feel is a synonym for "nurses"

🔔Please keep in mind, these messages will be shared on the unit (not online) for nurses to see. NO NAMES or other identifying information (yours or children's/family members') will be included. We kindly ask that you don’t include names in your message to help our staff members with the editing process!

We will be sure to show you the finished product!! Thanks for your help in celebrating the nurses of the NICU💜