NICUPS (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Parent Support) was introduced to me 5 years ago when a friend of mine had her son at 26 weeks. This boy spent 4 months in the NICU and actually came home on his due date. I am proud to say this little boy is thriving and started kindgarten this fall. Since this friend I have had a couple oter friends that have had experience with Mercy's NICU. I do recall one saying that if it weren't for the NICUP group she didn't know what she would have done.
NICUPS is a volunteer organization which gets it entire funding through donations as well as the Letters From Santa Campaign. Mercy NICUPS hels familys by
- providing one-on-one emotional and educational support
- provide, free-of-charge, books and other educational materials
- have class and family meetings
- finacial assistance to families during crisis situations
- making available breast pumps, car seats, gas cards, and other necessities for those in need free-of-charge.
If you are unfamiliar with what the Letters from Santa program is let me explain. the NICUPS generate a letter from Santa for your child(ren) of your choice for a donation of $6 per letter. Each letter is different as you answer questions that will be "plugged in" to create a one of a kind personalized letter.
So if you are interested in getting this very cute Letter from Santa as well as help a wonderful program here in the St. Louis area, head over to the Letters from Santa website.
