AUSTIN, Texas, April 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/
-- A high-risk pregnancy, a complicated birth or a NICU
stay can be traumatic and isolating experiences, which are being
compounded by the uncertainty and stress of COVID-19. Today, Hand
to Hold, a nonprofit organization for NICU families, announced the
launch of virtual support groups for NICU families to address this
challenge.
Kimberly
Clark's Huggies® brand is serving as the national
sponsor of the new program, modeled on Hand to Hold's in-person and
in-hospital support groups. The virtual services are available free
of charge to all families and caregivers of NICU babies.
The virtual support program will provide opportunities for NICU
families to connect and share personal experiences and feelings,
discuss coping strategies, and find comfort and support during the
COVID-19 crisis and the recovery that follows. The virtual support
groups will be available via live Zoom conference calls and will be
led by certified peer support specialists.
Hand to Hold will offer multiple groups each week in English and
Spanish starting on April 7. Parents
can register for group's on the organizations website where
dates and times are listed.
"NICU families are facing escalating mental health challenges
due to virus infection fears, additional financial concerns,
limitations on when they can visit their baby in the NICU and being
socially isolated from their support system of family and friends,"
said Kelli Kelley, NICU parent and
founder/CEO of Hand to Hold. "Our online support groups are
designed to provide NICU families with a virtual 'hand to hold' and
emotional support during the COVID-19 crisis."
In light of new stresses related to COVID-19, Hand to Hold will
also offer new podcast episodes across their multiple podcast
channels for NICU parents and NICU nurses. These COVID-19 podcasts
complement other NICU parent and NICU nurse podcasts that are
already sponsored by Huggies®. Podcasts are available across
five different channels.
In addition, community and understanding are just a click away
with Hand to Hold's private Facebook groups, where NICU parents can
ask questions and connect with other families in a safe, supportive
environment.
"We are honored to partner with Hand to Hold as they provide
this lifeline of virtual care for parents and nurses, especially as
their access to support may be limited during the current health
crisis," said Rebecca Dunphey,
President of Baby and Childcare, Kimberly-Clark North
America, "We have Huggies hospital partners and NICUs top of
mind right now, and ensuring they have Huggies products and
services, like these virtual support groups, available to help care
for their tiniest patients is a priority and privilege."
Huggies has a long legacy of supporting NICU parents and their
babies, even co-creating Huggies® Little Snugglers® Nano
Preemie diapers with NICU nurses, which are designed for
infants weighing less than two pounds, to help protect a preemie's
delicate skin. Huggies also co-created Huggies® Extra
Sensitive baby wipes with NICU nurses that are uniquely designed to
provide extra gentle cleaning for premature skin.
Huggies is providing underwriting support for Hand to Hold's
virtual support services through 2020 and is committed to raising
awareness for the program through social media and the Huggies.com
website to help NICU families as part of the brand's #HelpingHugs
campaign.
About Hand to Hold
Hand to Hold helps families before,
during and after NICU stays and infant loss by providing powerful
resources for the whole family, and most importantly, one-on-one
mentoring from someone who has been there. To learn more, visit the
Hand to Hold website handtohold.org
About the Huggies® Brand
Huggies believes deeply in
the Power of Hugs. That's why everything Huggies does is inspired
by your hugs. For more than 40 years, Huggies has been helping
parents provide love, care and reassurance to their
babies. From developing innovative everyday products, to
diapers and wipes donations, to growing hospital hugger programs,
to partnering with NICU nurses to develop diapers and wipes,
Huggies promises to ensure all babies get the care they need to
thrive. For more information on Huggies visit the "Why
Huggies?" page at Huggies.com.
About Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) and
its trusted brands are an indispensable part of life for people in
more than 175 countries. Fueled by ingenuity, creativity, and an
understanding of people's most essential needs, we create products
that help individuals experience more of what's important to them.
Our portfolio of brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex,
Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, GoodNites, Intimus,
Neve, Plenitud, Viva and WypAll, hold the No. 1 or No. 2 share
position in 80 countries. We use sustainable practices that support
a healthy planet, build stronger communities, and ensure our
business thrives for decades to come. To keep up with the latest
news and to learn more about the company's 148-year history of
innovation, visit Kimberly-Clark.com or follow us on Facebook or
Twitter.
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SOURCE Kimberly-Clark Corporation