March of Dimes Hosts Kangaroo Care-a-Thon in NICU

Care-A-Thon Raises Awareness for Kangaroo Care in NICU

The Regional Medical Center at Memphis (also known as "The Med") partnered up with the March of Dimes and hosted a 15-day "Kangaroo Care-a-thon". The purpose of this event was to raise awareness to  families the Center's employees about the benefits of "Kangaroo Care".

What is Kangaroo Care?

"Kangaroo Care" is the skin-to-skin contact between a parent and their child for a long period of time. This contact provides so many benefits for both parent and child, such as bonding and improved outcomes of the relationship.

When in the NICU,  new-born babies are attached to various equipment, wires, and monitors for survival. Although this is necessary for the health of the baby, it is important to remember that these babies need attachment and great bonding to their parent, too.

When was the Kangaroo-a-thon?

The event began May 15, 2012, the 1st Internation Kangaroo Care Awareness Day, and continued until May 30, 2012.  The goal was to enlist at least 15 families in Kangaroo Care during these dates.
A "Kangaroo Care Kit" was presented each time a family "kangarooed" for the first time. The "Kangaroo Care Kit" opportunity was from the courtsey of March of Dimes volunteers.
Also, each parent and their nurse were entered into a drawing to receive a special gift basket at the end of the Care-a-thon.

Picture: Karen Hill, March of Dimes NICU Family Support Specialist and Megan Pentecost, NICU nurse and winner of the special gift basket.

Congrats to all for championing "Kangaroo Care" and supporting the benefits of skin-to-skin contact and care for babies and their families!

For the full article click here-->The Med and March of Dimes Host "Care-a-thon"