Event Raises Money For Families of Newborns at Northside's NICU

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Northside Hospital will once again join forces with Miracle Babies Organization to host its third annual Miracle Babies at Northside Hospital fundraising event next month.

The event will be held 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7 at Villa Christina, 4000 Summit Boulevard in nearby Brookhaven.

The initiative raises financial assistance and support for families with newborns in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). More than $40,000 was raised at this event in 2013.

As the undisputed leader in maternity services, Northside Hospital in Sandy Springs delivers more babies than any other single hospital in the country.

In the hospital’s Level III NICU, as many as 100 premature and special-needs babies are cared for at one time, with more than 2,000 annually.

Many families spend days, weeks or even months in the unit and are not able to handle extra needs and expenses not covered by insurance, Northside Hospital said. Unplanned time-off from work and increased travel to and from the hospital are a new reality for them. Out-of-town families may need lodging and basic living supplies. Patterned after the San Diego non-profit organization Miracle Babies, the mission of Miracle Babies at Northside Hospital is to provide this crucial support to these families.

“We continue to receive more and more referrals for patients, from throughout Georgia and the southeast, who are experiencing a high-risk pregnancy and, subsequently, will require the services of the NICU,” said Larry Matsumoto, M.D., maternal-fetal medicine, Northside’s Center for Perinatal Medicine and Atlanta Perinatal Consultants, who is co-hosting the Nov. 7 event.

The event on Nov. 7 will include live music, a silent auction, fine art by local artists, and a unique tasting event featuring decadent chocolates, artisan wines, scotch and delectable hors d-oeuvres. The cost to attend is $40 per guest. Business or cocktail dress is requested.

“While our NICU accepts donations for gas cards, phone cards, transportation, preemie clothing and other baby supplies, we cannot come close to meeting the immense needs of these families,” said Melissa Sisson, director of women’s services, Northside Hospital. “All funds raised from this event will go exclusively to the Miracle Babies at Northside Hospital Fund to support the unique medical and emotional needs of infants and families right here in our metro Atlanta hospitals.”

For more information or to RSVP, call 770-667-4483 or visit Northside Miracle Babies’ website.