MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 14, 2021 /CNW/ - Huggies® Brand
has always believed in the power of hugs. That's why they are
excited to announce a new initiative with SickKids Foundation to
help rebuild the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at The
Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) into a state-of-the-art
family space that will help parents stay close by and provide more
skin-to-skin hugs to help babies thrive.
As Kimberly-Clark Canada's
largest hospital charitable sales donation to date,
Huggies® Brand will donate $1 from every purchase of Huggies®
diapers or wipes in Canada, until
December 2022, up to a total of
$510,000.
"Since 2015, our No Baby Unhugged initiative has provided
funding and facilitation to help hospitals ensure all babies get
the hugs they need," says Todd
Fisher, Kimberly-Clark
Canada, Vice President and General Manager. "Research has
shown that when compared with standard NICU care, skin-to-skin has
shown several benefits – it can help stabilize a baby's heart rate,
increase oxygen levels, promote weight gain, strengthen the immune
system, and reduce crying, pain and stress1.
That's why Huggies® Brand is so proud to help
SickKids Foundation build a new NICU space that will promote this
type of care experience for families."
The NICU at SickKids is the only place in the province of
Ontario for newborns needing
life-saving surgeries and is one of the busiest NICUs in
Canada, caring for more than 800
critically ill newborns a year. While the hospital provides some of
the highest quality care, it's not under the most optimal
conditions.
Currently, SickKids' NICU has 41 beds and most days it is at
capacity, with nowhere for moms and dads to sleep. Critical
one-on-one contact between parent and baby, including the proven
benefits of giving skin-to-skin hugs, is made difficult by the
current space. Privacy is an issue as up to six patients are in
each room. Difficult conversations happen while others in the room
wear noise canceling headphones.
"What our current NICU needs most is space," says Dr.
Estelle Gauda, Division Head of
Neonatology, SickKids. "Space for equipment and space for parents
to support and be with their critically ill infant. Access to a
welcoming, brightly lit, comfortably furnished space for families
will have a profound impact on their experience, allowing them to
better support their babies, and enhance recovery."
This is exactly the vision for the new SickKids' NICU --
expected to open in 2028.
It will be an expanded, modern NICU, with 65 beds and large,
comfortably furnished private rooms to encourage bonding, reduce
parental stress and infection risks, and enable better health
outcomes. Parents will also be able to stay and sleep in the
same room with their baby.
Research shows that skin-to-skin care is beneficial for pre-term
babies' behavioural and physiological responses, as well as
regulation after painful procedures.
"We know that skin-to-skin hugs help babies thrive," adds
Fisher. "By supporting SickKids Foundation and the revitalized
SickKids NICU space, we are thrilled to be supporting families and
the community, helping to ensure future generations benefit from
quality neonatal facilities and care."
For further information on how Canadians can help
Huggies® Brand make more room for hugs, visit
NoBabyUnhugged.ca.
About the Huggies® Brand
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
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®, please
visit NoBabyUnhugged.ca.
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, Sweety, Softex, 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 nearly
150-year history of innovation, visit kimberly-clark.com.
1 Source: Canadian
Association of Pediatric Health Centres (2014)
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SOURCE Kimberly-Clark Canada