Hurricane Sandy’s impact on the Philadelphiaregion did not dampen the Halloween celebration at the Hospital of theUniversity of Pennsylvania’s Intensive Care Nursery (ICN)! The Third Annual ICNHalloween Party provided a unique way for parents to celebrate the firstHalloween of these tiny babies, many of whom were born weeks and months toosoon and are now being cared for by specialized nurses and physicians whilethey gain weight and learn to breathe, eat and grow well enough to go home withtheir families.
To mark the special holiday, their parentsand ICN staff dressed the babies up and held a party in their honor in the ICN.With no frights -- just plenty of love and care -- each baby celebrated instylish miniature Halloween costumes, such as caterpillars, Tinker Bell,pumpkin, Captain Hook, and more. Instead of the door-to-doortrick-or-treating they’ll do a few years from now, the costumed babies laysleeping in their temperature-controlled isolettes, or, in some cases, wereheld by their parents and caregivers for special photos to be taken.
“To be able to celebrate like this is very meaningful forfamilies,” said Michelle Bradsher, the mother of an adorable pumpkin in theICN. “It’s a very dedicated staff. The personal care that they give each babyis remarkable.”
Those in attendance received a “HealthyHalloween” themed gift bag with a water bottle, sanitizer, crayons, book, safetrick-or-treating information, daily pill reminder box, and more.
The party is made possible through donatedfunds set aside for families to celebrate holidays while their children are inthe ICN.