Saint Luke's Auxiliary raised over $120,000 for Saint Luke's Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

The 28th Biennial Holly Ball was held on Saturday, December 1st at the InterContinental Hotel on the Country Club Plaza. Hosted by the members of the Saint Luke’s Auxiliary, the 2018 Holly Ball raised over $120,000 towards the purchase of the new Baby Care Link system in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Saint Luke’s Hospital.

Following a festive cocktail hour and patron party, guests were treated to a gourmet dinner in the beautiful ballroom, decorated to celebrate the Christmas holidays. During dinner, Dr. Barbara Carr, medical director of the NICU at Saint Luke’s, shared the story of Trevor, a baby born at just 28 weeks gestation who spent 71 days in the NICU.  Told through a series of still photographs and through Trevor’s mom, guests learned some of the difficulties that families with a baby in the NICU face.  Proceeds from this year’s Ball will benefit the purchase of Baby Care Link, an integrated communication system that will allow families a connection with their babies in the NICU.

The level 3 NICU at Saint Luke’s Hospital cares for babies as young as 32 weeks of gestation, as well as babies born with critical illnesses often requiring very long hospital stays. Through the use of a secure internet-based video/audio system, families will be able to see their babies on their smartphone, tablet or computer. Parents will also have the ability to communicate directly with their baby’s caregivers via a secure texting app and will be able to share their baby’s progress with other family members. This equipment will be integral in assuring a more stress-free experience for families and babies in the NICU.

In 2018, Saint Luke’s celebrates the 110th anniversary of the founding of the Auxiliary. The 200 plus members of the Auxiliary give generous gifts of time, talent and treasure to support the patients, families, and staff of Saint Luke’s Hospital. Last year, Auxiliary members donated over $225,000 to support a variety of programs, events, and scholarships throughout the health system and contributed over 13,000 volunteer hours. The Biennial Holly Ball is the Auxiliary’s major fundraising event.