Las Vegas, NV (January 10, 2018) - Sunrise Children's Hospital gratefully accepted a soft and cuddly supply of Preemie Buddies today from the compassionate sponsors at the Desert Sage Auxiliary of the Assistance League. Purchased from the Shadow Buddies Foundation, the Preemie Buddy serves as a special form of communication between baby and parents, provides companionship and comfort and is a useful tool for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) staff.
Made of soft sheepskin material, dressed in a pink or blue layette, the Preemie Buddy is designed to promote "bonding" with the baby and parents soon after the baby's birth. The Preemie Buddy itself is placed in the isolette with the baby while the layette (gown) on the Preemie Buddy goes home for the parents to hold next to their skin. In a day or two when the human scent is absorbed, the Preemie Buddy, re-dressed in gown, works to bring baby and parent closer together through the sense of smell. Weighing about 1.4 oz., the buddies are 7" high and meet FDA requirements.
Photo top row left to right: Sunrise Children's Hospital team members, Michelle Cash, Administrative Director, Pediatrics and Staci Sundquist, Director, Neonatal ICU. Bottom row left to right: Desert Sage Auxiliary of the Assistance League Las Vegas members: Kathy Mahon, MD, Judy VanderVeldt and Jo Mitchell.
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Sunrise Children's Hospital is the largest, most comprehensive children's hospital in Nevada that also serves the surrounding region and millions of visitors that come to Las Vegas. Offering a full range of specialized services, including Nevada's only pediatric heart surgery program, it has a dedicated Pediatric Emergency Department and the largest Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in the state. Sunrise Children's Hospital is located on the same campus as Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center - Nevada's largest acute care facility. Follow us @SunriseHosp and Facebook.
About the Desert Sage Auxiliary of the Assistance League Las Vegas
Assistance League Las Vegas is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that implements programs and services that enrich the lives of children in need in the Las Vegas community. Desert Sage Auxiliary complements the fundraising and philanthropic efforts of the Assistance League by providing an opportunity for those who wish to give service to the community but have limited hours to volunteer. For more information go toAssistance League Las Vegas.
About Shadow Buddies Foundation
The mission of the Shadow Buddies Foundation is to provide emotional support through education regarding illness, disability or medical treatments. Shadow Buddies are condition-specific dolls designed to be a friend, "just like me" for seriously ill or medically challenges children and adults. They not only provide comfort to the ill child, but also provide a hands-on method of educating newly diagnosed children and their families. For more information on Shadow Buddies go to Shadow Buddies.