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University Hospital Auxiliary

The University Hospital Auxiliary is proud to announce the proceeds from KALEIDOSCOPE 2005…Mauna Loa Luau will primarily benefit the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) project, "Branches of Life, Generations of Love."

The hospitalization of newborns in a NICU is unexpected, heart-breaking, and often overwhelming for parents and families. The goal of the new NICU opening at The Nebraska Medical Center in late 2005 is to create a warm, inviting family-centered environment and home-like setting to welcome the newest member of the family tree and to help parents remain connected to their baby. A woodland nature theme was chosen because trees supply life-giving oxygen, nourishing fruit, roots, beauty, shade, shelter, and a safe haven during difficult times in our lives.

Proceeds from this year's Kaleidoscope event will furnish the nature-themed family waiting area at the entrance to the new NICU. A central focus of the area will be a large artificial tree with extending "branches of life" to symbolize growth in the family tree. Siblings will have small tree-stump stools to sit and read, watch TV, color and play games. A memory "Wall of Hope" near the NICU entrance will feature "then and now" pictures of NICU "graduates." Kaleidoscope proceeds will also help furnish the multi-purpose parent education room with a computer, models/mannequins, premature baby books, interactive CDs, and videos to help parents learn about their baby and how to care for them as they develop.

Your help will support our goal to create an environment of healing, support, and hope for our littlest patients and their parents, siblings, extended family and friends.