Shining a Light on Our Tiniest Fighters: NICU Awareness Month

This September, Children’s Miracle Network at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital is rallying our community to celebrate NICU Awareness Month and raise $75,000 to support the tiniest and most fragile patients in our care.

Last year, with your generosity, we raised an incredible $51,150 – and together, we can go even further in 2025.

Why NICU Awareness Month Matters

NICU Awareness Month honors the strength and resilience of babies born too soon or critically ill, and the families and caregivers who never stop fighting for them. It’s also a time for our community to come together to ensure families have access to the most advanced care, breakthrough technologies, and family-centered services available.

Penn State Health Children’s Hospital is home to the region’s only Level IV NICU – the highest level possible. Each year, our NICU team provides lifesaving treatment to more than 800 infants, giving them the best chanced to heal, grow, and go home.

How Donors Make a Difference

Every gift has a direct impact on babies and families. Your support helps fund:

• AngelEye bedside cameras so parents can see their babies, even when they can’t be there in person.
• Specialized NICU beds that reduce stress and support fragile bodies.
• Pediatrician-recommended bottles designed for safe feeding and healthy development.

Thanks to donor generosity, families find comfort, hope, and the strength to face each day.

McKenna’s Story: A Feisty Fighter

Born 12 weeks early, McKenna weighed just over two pounds and was considered a micro-preemie. Nurses lovingly nicknamed her “feisty,” but her survival required advanced technology and unwavering care.

She spent months in incubators funded by Children’s Miracle Network, relied on breathing support and feeding tubes, and fought through a serious infection that required bedside surgery. After 109 days in the NICU, McKenna went home – healthy, strong, and ready to thrive.

Today, McKenna loves blocks, books, and being a big sister. Her story is one of many made possible by community generosity and the expertise of our NICU team.

How You Can Help

This September, your gift will help us reach our $75,000 goal for NICU Awareness Month – funding advanced equipment, family comforts, and lifesaving care for the babies who need it most. A word of thanks to our Miracle Match sponsors: The Hershey Company, Capital Blue Cross, and Heritage Toyota Harrisburg and MileOneCares.

Make your gift today to support our tiniest patients.

Upcoming Event: Corks for a Cause

Miracles start with small bites. Join us for an unforgettable evening of fine dining, wine pairings, and giving back at Corks for a Cause.

Date: September 24, 5:30 – 8 PM

Location: Eagle’s Landing, Annville

Featuring: Gourmet menu by Chef Guido Michael paired with award-winning wines from Waltz Vineyards