In the early 1990s, New York State Kiwanians and members of its associated youth groups initiated its Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Program to establish statewide trauma units at hospitals located at Albany Medical center, Buffalo Children's Hospital and at North Shore Hospital on Long Island. These hospitals were chosen as they embody their region's lifeline for access to advanced and specialized health care for children.
Our Capital District Kiwanis effort for this project includes fund raising for the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and most recently for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, both located at the Albany Medical Center.
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
The Kiwanis effort for this project began in 1996 and has successfully raised $500,000 for the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Albany Medical Center. This unit's main function was to improve the medical outcomes of children suffering from life threatening accidents. In addition, funding allowed space for families to be with their injured children during their recovery. Since we began, thousands of critically injured children were care for in a new 16-bed, state-of-the-art unit that provided necessary care while allowing family access to the recovering children.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
During 2011, 800 premature and critical ill babies received care in the NICU. This unit needed more space and needed upgraded advanced technologies in life saving neonatal care while ensuring ample space for families to be with their babies at a very critical time. The Kiwanis effort in this area began during 2011 as the result of a request from The Albany Medical Center for financial help to improve facilities and care for critically ill babies. The Kiwanis goal is to improve state of the art technology through the purchase of multi-purpose beds affectionately known as the "giraffe." The giraffe envelopes tiny patients in warmth and comfort while continuously monitoring precious babies with life-saving technology. Each giraffe has a cost of $50,000. We hope to purchase as many of these units as possible!
Column Posted on Web Site October 30, 2012
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