It was glamour and glitz at the London Community Center on Saturday, but with a message of gold for residents of southeastern Kentucky.

The Saint Joseph London's 10th Annual Gala for Hope raised nearly $50,000 - money that will be used toward establishing a neonatal intensive care unit for premature and underweight babies.

The Level II neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU0 is a $1.4 million project that will also include four critical care bays and two additional private NICU rooms. The NICU will serve premature babies and their families by offering services not found south of Lexington. Currently, the London facility does not have the equipment to care for premature and underweight babies who have more extensive needs than full-term babies. Babies born prematurely are transferred to Lexington's Children's Hospital and stay in the NICU until they reach targeted developmental goals and/or desired birthweight.

Saint Joseph London President Terry Deis spoke to the sold-out crowd on Saturday night, explaining the emotional and financial burden on residents in the area who experience having to transfer a newborn infant to Lexington for extra care.

"We delivered over 1,200 babies last year. But without a NICU, 69 of those had to be transferred to Lexington where they had to have extra care," Deis said. "That's a financial strain on many people. I've heard people say they've had to sleep in their cars just to be close to their baby."

That same sentiment came from Leslie Smart, president of the Saint Joseph London Foundation.

"Many babies in need of specialized care often have to be transferred to Lexington, which creates a financial burden for many families who want to be close to their critically ill children," MSart said. "By providing this NICU, we will be able to help keep families together during this difficult time and, most importantly, provide care for our smallest patients and save lives."

The evening offered a three-course meal as well as a silent auction and open donations to establish the fundraising for the neonatal unit.

In the last 10 years, Saint Joseph London Foundation's Gala of Hope has raised nearly $300,000 to help with projects such as the Birthing Center, community outreach and continuing education to nursing and allied health programs. To learn more about how you can help, contact the Saint Joseph London Foundation website at www.chisaintjosephhealth.org or calling the London hospital at 606-330-6000.

njohnson@sentinel-echo.com

ww.chisaintjosephhealth.org, call the London hospital at (606) 330-6000.

njohnson@sentinel-echo.com

React to this story:

1
0
0
1
0

Trending Video

Recommended for you