In the Name of Eden: Helping NICU Families
There is no one who understands the stresses of having a child in the NICU better than a parent who has been there – which is one of the reasons Eden’s Garden came into fruition. September is NICU Awareness Month, and the Hedins not only know how it feels to be in the NICU for an extended period of time, but made a commitment to make subsequent families’ stay there easier.
Honoring a Precious Life
After she was born at 28 weeks, Eden spent 241 days in the NICU before passing away. Amanda and Scott Hedin knew they wanted to create a way to memorialize their daughter’s life and create a legacy for Eden’s twin sister, Reagan, who is on service with PHS today – an idea that inspired the start of Eden’s Garden. Today, its focus on providing families going through the journey of being in the NICU with resources and support is growing.
Referrals to Meet a Need
By receiving referrals from area hospitals including Children’s (Minneapolis and St. Paul), the University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, and the St. Cloud Hospital, Eden’s Garden can help meet the needs of parents whose children have been in-patient at the hospital for more than 30 days by providing items they remember finding useful during their time in the NICU – everything from gas and Subway gift cards to parking.
To ensure they’re bringing items that the family will find useful, Amanda and Scott will ask for the family’s pressing needs, and often leave the gifts at the NICU desk to put the focus on the needs being met rather than the thanks being given.
Continuing the Legacy
In 2013, the Hedins had a goal to help one family per month, and in 2014 raised that to two families per month. However, after only 6 months this past June, they had already helped 20 families – an amazing testament to the need for what they’re doing.
Funding for Eden’s Garden is generated thanks to donations, sponsorships and Wine in the Garden, an event created to help even more families thanks to the generosity of attendees.
Understanding the difficulties a family goes through during their time in the hospital, Pediatric Home Service is excited to be a sponsor of the event, and would love to see other supporters there on October 10. Are you interested in attending? Tickets are still available – learn more on the Wine in the Garden website!
Originally published: September 3, 2014