New Program Offers Support For Families of Babies Born Prematurely

March of Dimes Announces Nationwide Launch of NICU Family Support^SM

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., APRIL 14, 2005 – Parents of premature babies in 14 U.S. cities can now get information and one-on-one support from trained professionals thanks to a new service funded by the March of Dimes.  The same information is also available to parents across the country through marchofdimes.com/nicu. 

“In our country today, nearly 500,000 babies are born prematurely and many will require specialized care,'' says Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. “Our NICU Family Support Project brings hope, information and comfort to thousands of families who are coping with the frightening and stressful experience of having a critically ill newborn.” 

Each site has a part-time March of Dimes NICU Family Support Specialist who works with families and staff to develop customized services.  These can include support for siblings and extended families; information for Spanish-speaking families; photography and scrapbooking; easing the transition from NICU to home; and bereavement support.

“A primary component of the project is family involvement,'' said Scott D. Berns, M.D., MPH Vice President, Chapter Programs for the March of Dimes. “Parents who have graduated from the NICU themselves know best what families need to cope with the NICU experience and are key in designing services to meet the needs of the specific NICUs and the populations they support.''

Topics addressed in printed materials and online include: parenting in the NICU; coping with the NICU experience; the transition home; dealing with family and friends; and grief and loss, among others. In addition, parents can share their stories and meet other NICU families at marchofdimes.com/share. The program also includes a professional development component for hospital staff.

Currently in 14 hospitals, the project will extend to nine more in 2005 and will reach all 50 states by 2007.  Texas, which has about 49,300 preterm births each year, will have two sites. Families interested in finding a NICU Family Support project where they live should contact their local March of Dimes chapter. 

NICU Family Support is part of the March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign, a multi-million dollar effort to raise awareness and reduce the growing problem of premature birth. Funding for NICU Family Support is provided by MedImmune, Inc., Pediatrix Medical Group and Dey, L.P.   The project is also supported by contributions to March of Dimes WalkAmerica -- held this year in most locations the weekend of April 30-May 1

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth.  For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish Web site at nacersano.org. 

March of Dimes NICU Family Support Sites currently in operation:

University of Chicago Hospital, Chicago, Illinois

Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York

Capital Health System Mercer Campus, Trenton, New Jersey

Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, Ohio

Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, Rhode Island

Christiana Care Hospital, Christiana Health Care System, Newark, Delaware

Regional Medical Center, Memphis, Tennessee

SHANDS Children's Hospital at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida

Children's Hospital of the Greenville Hospital System-University Medical Center, Greenville, South Carolina

Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC

Denver Children's Hospital, Denver, Colorado

Parkland Health and Hospital System, Dallas, Texas

Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Portland, Oregon

Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington