ICU baby, the Miami-based non-profit 501c3 that supports families with a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), held its signature fundraising event, “The Celebration of Miracles” on Friday, April 28, at the Four Seasons in Brickell.
This year’s theme took its inspiration from the Roaring 20’s, a period of great optimism, glamorous lifestyle and flapper fashion amid a historically electrifying and optimistic era for the country. Like a scene from a speakeasy, guests donned their best 1920s Gatsby-era garb with women in feathers and boas and men in their finest pinstripe suits, partaking in Vegas-style gaming all while raising funds for ICU baby’s programs in the NICUs of UM/Jackson Memorial’s Holtz Children’s Hospital and South Miami Hospital.
Supporting families with a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), ICU baby aims to eliminate financial, informational and emotional barriers that prevent families from visiting their baby in the hospital. ICU baby believes that no baby should be alone due to financial or emotional barriers and that the NICU should be a family centered, nurturing environment that provides for the particular needs of the whole family. They also strive to ensure that every family with a baby receiving palliative care in the NICU has a private room and timely access to their baby with limited interruption before their baby passes.
The charity was co-founded by CEO Elizabeth Simonton Freeman in 2014, after she and her husband endured time in the ICU with their newborn. There, they witnessed firsthand the tremendous financial and emotional hardships facing families while also recognizing the extreme compassion and valiant efforts of the healthcare providers. Simonton co-founded ICU baby with CFO Nichole Aldrich whose son Matthew did not survive his NICU journey. This tragedy is unfortunately the reality that the ICU baby team witnesses in the NICU.
The 5th annual gala was chaired by Miami Mayor Francis Suarez & his wife Gloria Fonts Suarez, as well as Drew Stoudt nad Yosbel Ibarra
The Celebration of Miracles, Roaring 20’s Casino Night gala raised thousands through a combination of generous philanthropists, a dazzling live auction with an array of items such as Miami HEAT floor tickets and a Miami Marlins Baseball experience through event sponsors including JP Morgan, Drew Stoudt & Yosbel Ibarra, The Hamilton Law Firm, The Hartman Family, Baptist Health, Kidz Medical, Ussery Automotive Group, Rosado Natural Stone, Niklaus Children’s Hospital, Corporate Park of Doral, The Coto Group, Prolacta, South Peninsula Surveying Group and many more.
A Lucky Numbers Raffle, a Live Auction, and action-packed gaming tables like craps, roulette, poker, blackjack, and slot machines were just a few of the evening’s highlights.
“For a family with a newborn in the ICU, unit life can be a frightening roller coaster of sharp ups and downs. The separation from a baby during this emotional and uncertain experience is extremely stressful on young families and even more so for those facing financial challenges and or lack flexibility in their workplace,” said Simonton.
“It is always such a joyous occasion when families and donors give back and show their deep appreciation for the miracles of ICU babies. We are so humbled by their generosity and that of our corporate sponsors” she added.
ICU baby’s eight programs are currently in the NICUs of Holtz Children’s Hospital at UM/Jackson Memorial Medical Center and Baptist Health System’s South Miami Hospital. In 2023, the organization will expand its reach by partnering with additional NICUs in the South Florida community.
For more information please visit the website at icubaby.org or call 305-908-3823.
