Capital Health and March of Dimes Host Reunion for NICU Families at Trenton Thunder Game

On Sunday, May 31st, Capital Health Medical Center hosted their annual reunion for children who were previously cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Each spring, doctors and nurses from Capital Health are reunited with families to commemorate their children’s growth milestones as well as celebrate the success of the March of Dimes funded NICU Family Support Program that provides assistance to premature babies. This year’s event was held at Arm & Hammer Park, home of the Trenton Thunder minor league baseball team.

“The reunion is always a fun day as well as a great opportunity to reconnect with the doctors and nurses who provided tremendous care and support to us during such a critical time in our twins’ early stages,” said Tracy Lutolf, Lawrenceville resident and mother of NICU twin graduates who are now nine years old. “It’s always great to see fellow NICU families and bond over our shared connection of having received the medical attention that made the difference in our children’s lives for which I will always be thankful to both Capital Health and March of Dimes.”

During the festivities, children played in a bounce house, received temporary spray tattoos and lent their handprints to the 2015 commemorative quilt that will be hung in the NICU alongside those that have been displayed from previous reunions. Just before gaining entry into the park as special guests of the Trenton Thunder, all attendees enjoyed snacks and refreshments which included a delicious cake in celebration of this year’s event. One-year old former NICU patient, Maelyn Coons, won the chance to throw out the first pitch and in-between each inning all of the children participated in special Trenton Thunder games.

“Having the ability to see how much the children have grown is very heartwarming and incredibly special,” said Debbie McElvaine, registered nurse, Capital Health NICU. “I always enjoy capturing the handprints for the quilt and visibly comparing their development from years past because it brings great joy to our staff as well as the families.”

More than 500 babies are cared for each year in the NICU at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell, the only maternity hospital in Mercer County. On-going research and funding provided by March of Dimes allows a successful start to their lives from early birth onwards. The Capital Health reunion events continue to create a special community of parents and children who are forever bonded to the doctors and nurses who provided them with critical medical support from the very beginning.