NEENAH, Wis., Sept. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the
Huggies® No Baby Unhugged program is
awarding seven $10,000 grants to help
support or establish volunteer hugging programs in hospitals across
the country. Hugging programs train volunteers to administer the
soothing and healing power of touch to babies who are premature or
medically fragile, with the goal of improving long-term health
outcomes.
"The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can be a place of
uncertainty, and parents may often feel overwhelmed by
responsibilities outside of the hospital that keep them from being
with their baby 24/7," said Kristin
Carnall of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston. "Numerous studies show
the positive benefits of holding, rocking and soothing on infant
weight gain, stress reduction, vital sign stabilization, improved
sleep and future language development. We are incredibly grateful
to have received the No Baby Unhugged grant to support our
NICU families in providing a comfortable, encouraging, intentional
space for parents to deliver skin-to-skin care to their
infants."
Since the No Baby Unhugged program was initiated in 2016,
Huggies has awarded $250,000 in
grants to 25 hospitals, allowing hospitals to invest in volunteer
training and recruitment, hugger chairs and educational materials
for volunteers. The seven hospitals receiving grants this September
include:
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston – Atlanta, GA
- Children's Hospital of Wisconsin at Fox Valley – Neenah, WI
- John Muir Health, Walnut Creek Medical Center – Walnut Creek, CA
- Palm Beach Children's Hospital at St. Mary's Medical Center
– West Palm Beach, FL
- Sanford Medical Center Fargo – Fargo, ND
- St. John's Regional Medical Center – Oxnard, CA
- University of Maryland
Children's Hospital – Baltimore,
MD
"We understand the power of hugs and gentle human touch for
conveying safety, security and love to babies during this critical
time in their development," said Sara Young, general manager
of the Huggies Brand. "Volunteer hugging programs are integral to
supporting nurses, comforting parents and promoting healing and
growth for babies. Huggies continues to be inspired by these
hospitals' dedication to the infants they treat and remains
committed to providing resources to bolster hugging programs."
"As a hospital CEO and mother of a NICU baby, I understand
firsthand how overwhelming a NICU can be for families," said
Gabrielle Finley-Hazle of Palm Beach
Children's Hospital at St. Mary's Medical Center. "We
are honored to be one of the recipients of the No Baby
Unhugged grant to support our NICU Cuddler program so that we
can continue to provide healing to these babies and their
families."
To be considered for the next round of grants, interested
hospitals are encouraged to fill out an application on the Huggies
Healthcare website by October 22,
2018. For all others who wish to help support the program,
visit Huggies.com/NoBabyUnhugged to become a Huggies Member. For
each new membership, Huggies will donate $5 to support hugging program grants for
hospitals.
About the Huggies Brand
Huggies believes deeply in the
Power of Hugs. That's why every Huggies diaper and wipe is inspired
by parents' hugs. For nearly 40 years, Huggies has been helping
parents provide love, care and reassurance to help babies
thrive. No Baby Unhugged is Huggies promise to
ensure babies get the care they need to thrive – from innovative
everyday products, growing hospital hugger programs and
specially-designed products for the tiniest of babies, to diapers
and wipes donations. Huggies is the fastest growing diaper brand in
hospitals* and partners with NICU nurses to develop diapers and
wipes that meet the specific needs of pre-term infants. For more
information on the Huggies No Baby Unhugged program,
visit the "Why Huggies?" page at Huggies.com.
*based on verified shipments to US hospitals for the 52 weeks
ending 3/31/18.
About Kimberly-Clark:
Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) and
its trusted brands are an indispensable part of life for people in
more than 175 countries. Fueled by ingenuity, creativity, and an
understanding of people's most essential needs, we create products
that help individuals experience more of what's important to them.
Our portfolio of brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex,
Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, GoodNites, Intimus,
Neve, Plenitud, Viva and WypAll, hold the No. 1 or No. 2 share
position in 80 countries. We use sustainable practices that support
a healthy planet, build stronger communities, and ensure our
business thrives for decades to come. To keep up with the latest
news and to learn more about the company's 146-year history of
innovation, visit kimberly-clark.com or follow us on Facebook or
Twitter.
[KMB-B]
Contact: Erica Schmitt
312-233-1293
Erica.Schmitt@Edelman.com
Contact: Brook Smith
972-281-1481
Media.Relations@KCC.com
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SOURCE Huggies