Madelyn’s Fund Launches NICU Awareness Month Ambassador Program to Support Local Families and Drive Fundraising Efforts

15 Jul Madelyn’s Fund Launches NICU Awareness Month Ambassador Program to Support Local Families and Drive Fundraising Efforts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHARLOTTE, NC – July 15, 2024 – Madelyn’s Fund, a Charlotte-based non-profit organization, is proud to announce the launch of its NICU Awareness Month Ambassador Program, coinciding with NICU Awareness Month in September 2024. The program is designed to raise awareness and vital funds to support local families navigating the challenges of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). By participating in this program, individuals will play a crucial role in ensuring that families of premature or critically ill newborns receive the financial support they need, allowing them to focus on their child’s well-being. Madelyn’s Fund is actively seeking passionate individuals to join this program. For more information, visit: https://madelynsfund.org/events/nicu-awareness-month/nicu-awareness-month-ambassador/

“By becoming a NICU Awareness Month Ambassador, you join a dedicated community committed to supporting NICU families and honoring the memory of the little ones we have lost,”

says Rachel Lee, co-founder of Madelyn’s Fund.

NICU Awareness Month is observed annually in September. This campaign aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by families with infants in the NICU, promotes understanding and support within the community, and honors the families and health professionals who care for these infants. In the United States, approximately 15% of infants are admitted to a NICU. NICUs offer advanced medical care and technology that have significantly reduced the infant mortality rate over the past 50 years, enabling many preterm and critically ill newborns to thrive. However, the complex care provided in NICUs can lead to financial strain for families, with the average cost of a NICU stay for infants surviving more than three days totaling $84,774*. Additionally, families often face long travel distances—up to 180 miles daily—to visit their child, as the average NICU stay is two to three months long. Madelyn’s Fund provides crucial financial support to NICU families, alleviating some of their burdens and allowing them to focus on their child’s health and their own well-being.

Throughout NICU Awareness Month, Madelyn’s Fund is partnering with local businesses and hosting a series of fundraising initiatives, to bring awareness to the Charlotte community and raise money to support this important cause. These events will provide fun and engaging ways for individuals and organizations to contribute to the mission of Madelyn’s Fund. Last year’s NICU Awareness fundraising campaign made a significant impact, raising an impressive $33,344. This achievement was made possible by the generosity of Madelyn’s Fund’s partners, ambassadors, and donors.

For more information about the NICU Awareness Month campaign and how to become a NICU Awareness Month Ambassador, visit the Madelyn’s Fund website or contact Stefanie Lippard Fundraising Director at Madelyn’s Fund at [email protected]. For press inquiries, contact: Zoë Maurer, Marketing Chair at [email protected], or Rachel Lee, Co-founder of Madelyn’s Fund at [email protected].

About Madelyn’s Fund:

Madelyn’s Fund was established in 2016 with the mission to provide financial support to infant and pediatric patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and families who experience the trauma of infant loss. Many NICU families face unexpected costs, including funeral expenses, and Madelyn’s Fund is dedicated to offering them the assistance they need during such challenging times.

References:

*Rolnitsky, A., Unger, S., Urbach, D., & Bell, C. M. (2023). The price of neonatal intensive care outcomes – in-hospital costs of morbidities related to preterm birth. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2023.1068367

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