Jaclyn had been on bed rest at the hospital for 10 weeks after going into labor at 22 weeks. She delivered Luca on Oct. 1, 2017, at 32 weeks, and he stayed in the NICU for a month.

Jaclyn says she had a unique experience at the Center for Women and Infants at UofL Hospital. She worked with a music therapist to write songs for her baby and visited with a therapy dog to ease her anxiety.

“I had a daily a routine, and the weeks passed quickly,” she said.

“The staff did so much to spoil us and make the season of Halloween with our son special despite being in the NICU,” Jacyln said. “Thanks to the staff, we have fond memories of what could have been a very difficult time for our family.”

She received a Halloween card with Luca’s footprint, and a group of volunteers who knit costumes for the NICU babies made him a sock monkey outfit with his name and birthdate.

“It was a gift you don’t expect that means so much, and we treasure that,” she said.

As a way to pay it forward, Jaclyn launched a fundraiser this year to fill enough Halloween baskets for every family in the NICU. Filled with candy and care items like tissues and lotion, she delivered the baskets in time to make it a special Halloween for those in a similar circumstance.

“We can’t believe it has been a year – they did so much for us while we were here and we are glad to bring cheer to others,” Jaclyn said.

Michael Siebert, 17, raised money to buy two��, a nonprofit book exchange, for the waiting areas of the��and the main operating room. Siebert stocked the libraries with a variety of books for all ages and visitors are encouraged to bring a book and take one home.

“It’s a good way to promote reading for families,” Siebert said. “It gives them something to do, besides watch TV, if they’re anxious about a family member who’s at the hospital.”

Books are a great way to entertain young children who accompany parents visiting a baby in the neonatal intensive care unit, said Siebert’s mom, Miriam Fallon-Siebert, a registered nurse in the NICU at UofL Hospital. Siebert’s dad, Mark Siebert, also works at the hospital as a registered nurse in preop.

“Many times, we have babies who are in our hospital for three to four months,” Fallon-Siebert said. “Young siblings often accompany their parents, but aren’t allowed to come into the NICU to prevent the spread of germs.”

The hospital’s volunteer office will manage the libraries and staff members are encouraged to donate clean books for all ages. Donations are accepted at the volunteer office in the hospital basement.