TAMPA, Fla. - April 20, 2020 - PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT:
High Risk Hope
Bailey Nicholas
1702 N Avenida Republica de Cuba
Tampa, FL 33605
C 813.464.9132 O 813.247.5483
bailey@highriskhope.org
High Risk Hope Provides Virtual Support to Patients During COVID-19 Pandemic
Tampa, FL – High Risk Hope (HRH) is a local nonprofit that is a lifeline for families hospitalized for months surrounding the premature birth of a child, delivering the hope and essential items families need to survive their hospital stay. The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed the visitation policies at hospitals for moms on hospital bed rest and premature infants in the neonatal intensive care units, making this time even more difficult and isolating for families. While HRH typically hand delivers Bed Rest Baskets and NICU Napsacks to families in the hospital, providing much-needed one-on-one emotional support, due to COVID-19 visitation restrictions, HRH has shifted to provide real-time virtual support. This week, HRH launched its first HRH Huddle for hospitalized high risk obstetric patients and NICU parents via GoToMeeting. GoToMeeting offers a HIPPA compliant meeting platform that is easily accessible for families via their cell phone, tablet or computer. HRH Huddles seek to connect these moms and families with one another so they may share their unique journeys together, leaning on one another for support.
HRH also has dozens of volunteers who sew and knit baby blankets and hats for NICU babies. These volunteers have recently been redirected to sew much-needed masks for the hospital units HRH supports. To date, hundreds of masks have been donated to St. Joseph's Women's Hospital, Tampa General Hospital's Antepartum Unit, and Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital. HRH has also partnered with Berkeley Preparatory School who is making 3D printed reusable masks that are being donated to St. Joseph's Women's Hospital.
ABOUT HIGH RISK HOPE
High Risk Hope (www.highriskhope.org) is a 501(c)(3) for purpose organization that provides support, encouragement, information, and resources to women and families who are experiencing a high risk pregnancy resulting in hospital bed rest, potential premature birth, and neonatal intensive care after delivery. High Risk Hope's Bed Rest Basket and NICU Napsack programs provide personal items to patients on long-term hospital bed rest and families with premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit that are crucial to a long-term hospital stay. High Risk Hope reaches over 2,250 families in Florida annually.
Contact
Bailey Nicholas
