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GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – ECU Health teamed up with the Carolina Hurricanes and a nonprofit to give back to kids at James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital Wednesday.
Noah is a monthly visitor at the hospital who was born prematurely in 2021, and at just 24 weeks, he was given a 50% chance to live.
Now, five years later, he’s been at the hospital since Monday following a procedure, but he had a nice surprise Wednesday morning.
Noah is one of many kids getting a specialized hospital gown, something his mom says makes a huge difference.
“It’s so special with the Hurricanes winning the championship,” Dawn Romero told WITN. “It helps, with his condition, knowing that there’s some place we can go that’s not too far that can take care of my baby, and I feel like he’s safe, welcomed, and loved.”
To make this possible, ECU Health partnered with the Carolina Hurricanes and Kids Who Give, a nonprofit based in the Raleigh-Durham area that empowers children through volunteering.
“I’m really excited to see the smiles on their faces and show them joy and love, because we care so much about them,” says 15-year-old Stella Magliulo, the president of Kids Who Give.
400 gowns were given to the hospital, with about 50 kids getting a gown on Wednesday.
“When we can normalize the environment and bring things that make it a little more special to be here, it means the world to them,” says Tara Tadlock, the children’s hospital engagement specialist.
In addition, the kids got to have a special visit with the Hurricanes’ mascot, Stormy.
“Our guys are on the ice every day showing their courage in playing a sport that they love, and we just wanted to pass that along to these kids,” the Carolina Hurricanes’ Foundation Executive Director Amy Daniels told WITN. “That they are being so brave and just give them that little kick to fight and be courageous themselves.”
Daniels says the Hurricanes also partner with UNC and Duke’s children’s hospitals and are also delivering gowns there.
According to ECU Health, this was a one-time partnership, but they hope to continue it in the future.
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