Community Support Turns Reading Into Healing for NICU Families

When a baby needs care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), it affects the whole family. Parents face worry and uncertainty. Siblings may feel confused or left out. And depending on how fragile the baby is, hospital stays can last just a few days or stretch for months.

At Penn State Health Children’s Hospital’s Level IV NICU, families receive more than advanced medical care—they also benefit from the unique support of Child Life specialists, funded in part by donors through Children’s Miracle Network. With a family-focused approach, Child Life offers services, education, and resources that help families cope, connect, and heal. While not every hospital has Child Life programs, and they are even rarer in NICUs, Penn State Health Children’s Hospital is proud to have specialists dedicated solely to the NICU floor. 

One shining example is the annual NICU Read-a-Thon, now in its fourth year at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. Led by Child Life in collaboration with the NICU Developmental Care Team, the Read-a-Thon runs September 8–18 as part of NICU Awareness Month. Families and caregivers are encouraged to read aloud to babies in the unit—an activity proven to promote brain development, reduce stress, and strengthen the bond between infants and parents.

This local effort is part of a wider international Read-a-Thon initiative, which in 2024 saw 224 NICUs participate, up from 192 the prior year.

This year, Hershey and its surrounding communities donated 302 books through an Amazon wish list and NICU drop box. Helping promote the drive and deliver books were three-year-old triplets Hannah, Brynleigh, and Addy—former NICU babies at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital—along with their mom, Lauren. A NICU nurse herself in the very same NICU where her daughters once received care, Lauren has a unique perspective on the power of reading to newborns and the comfort it brings to families.

Parents and caregivers who join the Read-a-Thon earn raffle tickets for chances to win prizes like baby blankets, mugs, fuzzy socks, and gift cards—small reminders that they are supported.

“The Read-a-Thon grows every year,” says Carrie Ashby, a Child Life specialist on the NICU floor. “It’s amazing to see more community members, staff, and NICU volunteers participate, encouraging parents to read and giving them confidence to share stories with their babies. Hearing a parent’s voice is one of the most powerful ways to connect—it’s something even the sickest babies can tolerate, and it helps families feel closer.”

“The Read-a-Thon is a window into the heart of Child Life,” says Katie Anderson, director of Children’s Miracle Network at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. “It ensures families can stay connected and hopeful, no matter how long their NICU journey may last. That’s the true impact of community support—and why Children’s Miracle Network is proud to help fund Child Life programs.” 

At Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, donor generosity powers more than care. It gives families connection, comfort, and hope. Make a gift today to support Child Life at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital.