Years ago, people didn’t know a lot about the effect on parents after the birth of a premature infant.
But because of recent medical advances and neonatal intensive care units (NICU), more than 90 percent of premature babies who weigh around two pounds or more survive. Ones who weigh a little more than one pound also have more than a 60 percent chance of survival, according to KidsHealth.org.
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The stress felt by parents after having an infant in NICU has a familiar name — Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). According to a 2009 story by the New York Times, many parents with children that have been in the NICU are likely to develop PTSD.
The Inverness-based Society for the Preservation of Human Dignity (PHD) is trying to make a difference for these parents, specifically those served by Northwest Community Hospital, through the group’s “2017 Spirit of Dignity Gala.”
The gala begins at 6 p.m. April 29 inside the Biltmore Country Club, 160 Biltmore Drive, North Barrington. Funds from this “elegant evening of fine dining, auction, raffles and dancing” will support PHD’s new neonatal community outreach program at Northwest Community Hospital, according to the group.
“PHD is working with Northwest Community Hospital to support their work in the neonatal intensive care unit,” said Claire Miller, a spokeswoman with Preservation of Human Dignity. “PHD’s master level licensed therapists will be working in the Northwest Community Hospital NICU with parents that are experiencing depression, anxiety or perhaps grief due to the loss of one twin.”
Three therapists from PHD will work in the NICU at the hospital once a week, she said.
“All of this is done free of charge, and the money raised at the 2017 PHD Gala supports this new, exciting program that will help parents through difficult times,” Miller said. “This initial NICU program will serve as a model and PHD will be contacting other hospitals in the future to partner with.
Tom Negovan, from WGN News, will emcee the gala. About 200 guests are expected to attend the event this year. PHD’s fundraising goal is $100,000, and they are already halfway to their mark through corporate and private sponsorships, according to the group.
Sally and Tom Fedus, of Inverness, also are the honorary chairwoman and chairman of the event. Tickets, available at $200 a person or $1,800 for tables of 10, may be purchased at www.sphd.org or by calling Charlene Okigawa at 847 359-4919, ext. 25.
Kimberly Albrecht is a freelance columnist for Pioneer Press. Reach her at [email protected].