FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HHF CELEBRATES 5 YEARS
SUPPORTING NICU FAMILIES AND 1,000 FAMILIES HELPED
(Goshen, NY–March 20, 2013) Hailey’s Hope Foundation celebrates its five-year anniversary this year supporting NICU families. Since February 2008, HHF has provided financial assistance, emotional support, and educational information to help NICU families get through this difficult time and become their baby’s best advocate. We have also purchased advanced medical equipment and worked together with hospitals to help improve the care of these tiny NICU patients and give them a greater fighting chance. Our programs are implemented at the Regional Neonatal Center at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital (Westchester Medical Center) in Valhalla and the Rowley Birthing Center at Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown. HHF programs are specifically designed to comfort families as they endure their baby’s NICU hospitalization, help them meet their baby’s special needs, help them fulfill their important role on the NICU team, and cope with the unexpected accumulation of non-medical expenses.
In its fifth year, HHF has reached another exciting milestone –through its Financial Support Program, it has provided assistance to its 1,000th Family–The Bruno Family from Chester, New York. On January 5, 2013, Katie Bruno delivered a beautiful baby boy at 32 weeks gestation at Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown. After birth, he was whisked away to the NICU because he needed assistance breathing. Three days later Dominic’s condition got worse and he was transferred to the Regional NICU at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital and placed on a jet ventilator. “As we watched our son transfer to a transport incubator, we met Debra Randazzo from Hailey’s Hope Foundation, said Katie Bruno. “As a 3-time NICU mom, she offered immediate emotional support. In that moment we were very grateful to have her by our side.” The Regional NICU was Dominic’s home for four weeks. During his stay, Katie and her husband, Anthony, were by Dominic’s side, morning, noon and night. HHF helped alleviate the Brunos non-medical expenses (costs for lodging, transportation, parking, meals, etc.). “With the support of HHF we were able to focus our complete attention on our son and his recovery without the worry of financial burdens,” said Katie. “They continued to check on us and help us as we cared for our son in the hospital. My husband and I are forever grateful to HHF and will never forget their wonderful support in one of our darkest times. We are blessed. Dominic is doing well and thriving at home.”
About Hailey’s Hope Foundation
Hailey’s Hope Foundation was established in 2007 to support the needs of families with premature and critically ill babies hospitalized in New York-area Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) and to help improve the quality of NICU care. In addition to providing NICU families with financial assistance for non-medical expenses, emotional support and educational information, Hailey’s Hope Foundation works closely with NICU staff to understand families’ needs and raises funds for NICU equipment and neonatal research. Its programs and initiatives strive to help families cope with a difficult NICU journey, empower them to help their babies get better, and to give NICU babies a greater fighting chance. Hailey’s Hope Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Goshen, New York. To learn more, visit www.haileyshopefoundation.org.
CONTACT:
Debra Randazzo
Director, Hailey’s Hope Foundation
Phone: (914) 584-8833
Email: info@haileyshopefoundation.org
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