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Carson, Carter and Christian were born 9 weeks premature on January 30, 2013. Upon delivery, the boys spent 40 days in the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Because of the Beaumont facility's Level 3 NICU, they were able to stay locally. The friendships the family made with the NICU nurses are ongoing today. -
CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth has a Level 3 Neonatal ICU -
Nicole Albert with a patient
Most of us can likely recall the first time we received a shot as a child – the anxiety and nervousness that comes from knowing we are going to be pricked by something sharp.
For children in the care of doctors and nurses in the pediatric unit and neonatal ICU at CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital, it’s a reality they’re all confronted with at some point during their stay, especially when it’s time to insert an IV.
But funds recently made available by the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) are helping to quell some of those fears with the purchase of a “Vein Visualization System” that reduces the risk of patients having to be stuck multiple times to find a vein.
It’s one of many recent purchases for both the pediatric and NICU units made possible with the more than $360,000 raised by CMN, which is part of the CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation.
Locally, CMN has raised over $8.2 million since its inception in 1988. These funds have been used to benefit the youngest and most vulnerable patients at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health facilities.
In the case of St. Elizabeth Hospital, the entire pediatric unit will soon benefit from updates, new technology and equipment, along with vital program funding.
Nicole Albert is the only Certified Child Life Specialist in the area. She helps pediatric patients learn how to cope with challenging medical diagnoses and conditions through different therapeutic activities and normalization. Her department was recently given funds from CMN to go toward Child Life programming.
Albert said that money will be used throughout the year on items that are special to some of her patients and that help normalize and distract them from the hospital environment.
“Sometimes we have kiddos up here for two or three weeks who talk about their favorite superhero or favorite cartoon,” Albert said. “Child Life is primarily donation based. If we didn’t have that particular superhero or cartoon character donated to us, we don’t have it to give to them. Having the funds to go out and buy a patient that particular superhero is something that we love to do. This programming money allows me to do just that.”
It also allows Albert to purchase supplies for therapeutic activities and bereavement supplies. The program additionally supports the children of adult patients who are hospitalized.
As part of the same project, the radiology unit was also awarded funds to purchase a portable x-ray machine that will be exclusively used in the NICU and pediatric units of the hospital. The machine, which is shaped like a giraffe, has already been ordered.
“This will give us a much faster turnaround time when x-rays are needed for patients in the NICU or the pediatric unit,” said Kristen Watkins, Director of Radiology. “We’ve always had to share our machines with other units, so this will significantly decrease those waiting periods and get our patients the results they need much quicker and more efficiently.”
Children’s Miracle Network in Southeast Texas relies on the support of corporate partners, as well as individual donors, to fund life-saving care, education and services to sick and injured children. CMN’s partners conduct various fundraising campaigns throughout the year to raise these essential funds.
Right now, participating Dairy Queens and the Neches Federal Credit Union are in the middle of their “Heart Icon” campaign. For one extra dollar, you can purchase a paper heart at these locations. All those dollars stay right here in Southeast Texas and go toward needs like those mentioned here.
Some of the funding for these most recent projects were raised by Walmart and Sam’s Clubs, Panda Express, Ace Hardware, Credit Unions for Kids, RE/MAX and Love’s Truck Stops. CMN said it is truly appreciative of those partners and all others who generously step up and go the extra mile to invest in Southeast Texas children.
The CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation is the fundraising arm of CHRISTUS Health Southeast Texas, which includes two local hospitals and numerous clinics. Children’s Miracle Network and The Foundation pledge that 100% of your contribution will be used to fulfill your philanthropic intent. As a donor, you may select from among a variety of areas, including endowments, capital projects, and honor and memorial gifts.
Anyone interested in donating or becoming a Miracle Maker can visit www.christussoutheasttexasfoundation.org for more information.