26 Aug Madelyn’s Fund Expands NICU Awareness Month Efforts with 2025 Ambassador Program to Support Families and Drive Community Impact
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHARLOTTE, NC – August 25, 2025
Madelyn’s Fund, a Charlotte-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting families with infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and those who experience infant loss, is excited to announce the return of its NICU Awareness Month Ambassador Program this September. This initiative invites passionate community members and businesses to join forces in raising awareness and vital funds for families navigating the challenges of the NICU.
“By becoming a NICU Awareness Month Ambassador, you are directly impacting families who need it most while honoring the memory of little ones gone too soon,” says Rachel Lee, co-founder of Madelyn’s Fund. “Our ambassadors help shine a light on the needs of NICU families and the amazing work of their caregivers.”
NICU Awareness Month takes place every September, highlighting the struggles faced by NICU families and celebrating the medical teams that care for them. Nationally, 1 in 10 babies is admitted to a NICU, and while medical advances have dramatically improved survival rates, families often face immense emotional and financial burdens. The average NICU stay lasts two to three months, with families traveling long distances—sometimes up to 180 miles per day—and incurring significant expenses. The average cost of a NICU stay for infants surviving more than three days is over $84,000.*
In 2024, Madelyn’s Fund raised $41,166 during NICU Awareness Month, providing critical assistance for NICU families and those enduring infant loss. These funds help cover unexpected expenses such as gas, food, lodging, and funeral costs, allowing parents to focus on their child’s health and healing.
Stories from ambassadors like Sarah Bennett Ifkovits and Scott MacMeekin highlight why this work is so essential:
- Sarah Bennett Ifkovits, mom of three (including twins), spent 64 and 66 days in the NICU with her daughters Annie and Ginny. She knows firsthand the emotional toll of NICU life, including postpartum depression and anxiety, as well as the incredible generosity of Madelyn’s Fund and her care team.
“As a NICU mom, I want every parent to feel seen, supported, and celebrated,” Sarah shared. “Madelyn’s Fund reminds families they are not alone during one of the hardest moments of their lives.”
- Scott MacMeekin, dad of three (including a NICU graduate), spent 72 days in the NICU with one of his twins. Scott understands how overwhelming the NICU journey can be—not just for moms, but for dads too. He’s now using his voice to advocate for more dad-centered resources and support alongside Madelyn’s Fund.
Both Sarah and Scott are part of a growing community of ambassadors raising awareness, building support networks, and reminding NICU families: you are not alone.
For details on becoming a NICU Awareness Month Ambassador or to learn more about how you or your organization can get involved, visit: https://madelynsfund.org/events/nicu-awareness-month/.
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible partners, ambassadors, and donors whose generosity has been instrumental in making this year’s campaign a success,” said Rachel Lee, co-founder of Madelyn’s Fund. “Their commitment to supporting NICU families helps us continue our mission and expand our impact in the community.”
Get Involved
Madelyn’s Fund is deeply grateful to everyone who supported this year’s campaign. To learn more about ways to support NICU Awareness Month visit: madelynsfund.org/events/nicu-awareness-month.
About Madelyn’s Fund:
Madelyn’s Fund, established in 2016, is a Charlotte, NC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial support to infant and pediatric patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and to families who experience the trauma of infant loss. The organization helps NICU families cover unexpected costs, including funeral expenses, offering critical assistance during times of need. To learn more about Madelyn’s Fund visit www.madelynsfund.org.
For more information or press inquiries, please contact Zoë Maurer, Marketing Chair, at zoe@madelynsfund.org.
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