ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A record $126,000 was awarded to local health networks by the Lehigh Valley Commercial & Industrial Real Estate Foundation.
Both Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke’s University Health Network are on the receiving end of $63,000 for their Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU).
“What that means is that our NICU babies are tiny as babies in the community get to have more money and more money means more resources, more resources means a better chance of coming up overcoming all the difficulties that they have been born so tiny and premature,” said Dr. Jennifer Janco, Chair of Pediatrics at St. Luke’s.
She accepted the check on behalf of the hospital system in Allentown Tuesday.
Anne Baum is the president of Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital and was there to accept the check for LVHN.
“This money is so valued by us and makes a difference in the equipment that we can buy for our small baby program that helps little tiny babies who are born anywhere from 23 to 25 weeks, which is super early," Baum said. "We help them survive and thrive with this equipment."
The money was raised through the Lehigh Valley Commercial & Industrial Real Estate Foundation’s annual breakfast fundraiser.
“Our mission is supporting families that are impacted by premature birth, and the doctors and the facilities in the Lehigh Valley that can support those families."Costas Hrousis, past chair, Lehigh Valley Commercial & Industrial Real Estate Foundation
“Our mission is supporting families that are impacted by premature birth, and the doctors and the facilities in the Lehigh Valley that can support those families,” said Costas Hrousis, past chair of the foundation.
He said the event has grown from about 100 people to more than 400 people over its 30 years.
“There's not a lot of federal funding for neonatal intensive care units for the hospitals," Hrousis said. "So we found that's just a niche for us to work toward."
He was among a number of foundation members in attendance at the recent check presentation along with representatives from both health networks and children who have been through the NIC-Us.
Kaitlin Unangst, of Easton, had her daughter Joanna at St. Luke’s at 28 weeks gestation.
“She was about three months early. She was two pounds,” said the mom of two. “We were there for 76 days at the Anderson Campus, which is a beautiful facility and truly the reason, between the doctors and the nurses, that we have our daughter with us today.”
Unangst’s now 3-year-old was excited to be part of the check presentation, clapping for those who stood to speak.
Also there to show support was a NICU alum from LVHN.
“I was born considered a micro preemie," said Catharine Aboulhouda, 21, of Allentown. "I was supposed to be born on Halloween of 2002 and I was born on July 4 of 2002. I spent 113 days in the NICU.
“I'm here today just to celebrate the achievements that the Lehigh Valley commercial and industrial real estate foundation accomplished throughout their year of fundraising for the Lehigh Valley Reilly Children's Hospital and St. Luke's Children's Hospital.”
“It makes a big difference in our ability to care for the tiniest members of our community,” Baum said. “Unfortunately, the equipment to save these little babies is incredibly, technically advanced and super expensive. So when we get donations like this, it helps us get another piece of equipment that gives another space for a tiny baby to come and stay and be treated.”
Janco went on to explain what some of the equipment — that the money will help to purchase — is.
“Something as simple as a transporter," Janco said. "Babies are born, they're tiny, they're cold, they need all their vital signs, everything monitored intensely in order to have the best outcomes. So we can go ahead and get some of the latest technology and the latest and greatest, so babies right here in our community can benefit from that.”
This year's Lehigh Valley Commercial & Industrial Real Estate Foundation breakfast event will be held on October 25th at ArtsQuest.
