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Husband and wife duo Pat Rice and Claire Fitzgerald have been volunteering as Cuddlers for more than 20 years
A story this week from KALW public radio is recognizing a special group of volunteers at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford as local heroes: the baby Cuddlers.
For more than 25 years, the Packard Children’s Cuddler program has provided extra pairs of loving arms for premature and sick infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Parents spend as much time as they can with their hospitalized newborns, but they sometimes need to be away from the bedside, especially if the baby is in the hospital for a long period of time. Just as physicians and nurses tend to our tiny patients’ medical needs, the Cuddlers come in to support the babies’ emotional needs by holding, comforting and even singing to them when their parents can’t be present.
The Cuddlers play an important role for the medical care team, as Maureen Roberts, RN, a nurse in the Packard Children’s NICU, describes in the KALW segment:
“The Cuddler program is so great because we all want to see our babies get positive touch and stimulation — to be held more. It is so nice for us to have the Cuddlers come and hold our babies.”
Husband and wife duo Claire Fitzgerald and Pat Rice, both retired psychologists, have been volunteering as Cuddlers for more than 20 years. Earlier this year, they were recognized by Oprah magazine as 2017 “Health Heroes” for their service. Many years ago, their son, who was 3 months old at the time, was hospitalized with a suspected brain tumor. It turned out to be only a suspicion, but they remember the fear and worry they experienced while their newborn was in the hospital.
“I was one of those worried moms, and I said when my hair turns gray, I will come back and say ‘thank you,’ because I thought that was a great way to give back to the community,” Claire told KALW.
Cuddler volunteers can make a lasting impression on parents during their stay in the NICU. Seyi Mclelland is the mother of three young children, all of whom were born prematurely. She explained to KALW that the Cuddlers’ presence brought her family great comfort through the tumultuous journey of her babies’ first few months.
“You know, they actually nurture the whole family,” she says. “Not just the baby. It is you as well.”
Listen to the full KALW segment: http://kalw.org/post/special-hands-help-fragile-babies-stanford-nicu#stream/0
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Authors
- Kate DeTrempe
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I was a nanny for 21 years! I am retired now & so miss the baby stage! I would love to volunteer to comfort a little new born that needs to be held & nurtured back to health
Our baby Cuddlers are the best! You can learn more about becoming a Cuddler by visiting the Stanford Children’s Health volunteer page: http://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/volunteer. Volunteers are an important part of the extraordinary care we provide, and we appreciate your interest.
I am from San Jose California interested in volunteering.
I have applied before but heard nothing other than I did do an online class but nothing after that … I want to re apply
I work in the gift shop and would love to be a Cuddlers one day.
Hello,
This is exactly what I would like to do. Is there a program in Santa Rosa, CA?
Sincerely,
Tracy Elliott
very interested in working the cuddler program when I retire and would like information on how to go about the program. Please
e mail me information and what I need to do to get started in the program …
I love this.
I am very interested in being a Cuddler for Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. Please send me information or let me know who I need to contact.
I would so love to be a cuddler. There is nothing more special to me than holding a newborn. I worked at peninsula hospital for 35 Yrs., half the time on the floor as an LVN and the other half as a unit coordinator on a TCU. Our first born son was rushed to children’s hospital SF because his bilirubin was very high 37 Yrs. ago and the experience was very scary. We didn’t want to leave his side. We didn’t lose him then, but we lost him 13 Yrs ago in the Navy so being a cuddler would help fill that enormous empty space for me. Thank you. Sincerely Teri Arbues
How can I find out information on your cuddler program?
Hi Susie,
You can learn more about the Cuddler program at Stanford Children’s Health on our Volunteer Services webpage: https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/volunteer?
Best,
Stanford Children’s Health
I’m interested in volunteering for the Cuddlers program
Can I get on a list
Hi Laurie,
We’re so pleased to hear of your interest in our Cuddlers program. To learn more about volunteering at Packard Children’s, please visit https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/volunteer?
I have just retired from my second career as a substitute elementary school teacher for 15 years. Before that I was a flight attendant for 31 years. I have a Fine Arts degree . With my free time I would love to either cuddle babies or volunteer with the art cart program with the children.
I have just retired from my second career as a substitute elementary school teacher for 15 years. Before that I was a flight attendant for 31 years. I have a Fine Arts degree . With my free time I would love to either cuddle babies or volunteer with the art cart program with the children. Please put me on a list.
Hi Nancy,
We love our cuddlers at Packard Children’s! Thank you for thinking of us. Our dedicated volunteers at Packard Children’s are an important part of the extraordinary care we provide. To learn more about our volunteer programs and current openings, please visit https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/volunteer?
My Granddaughter was patient here 15 years ago. I would like to pay it forward.
I would love to be a cuddler
I have been waiting to be a baby cuddler in my retirement. Please consider me!
Hi Karen,
We love and appreciate the hundreds of dedicated volunteers at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford and Stanford Children’s Health. Check out our Volunteer Services for updates on openings for cuddler positions: https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/volunteer#toppick
how do I apply or where can I sing to become a cuddler I would love to be one. please if you can send me some information.
Hi Evelia,
Learn more about open volunteer opportunities at Stanford Children’s Health by visiting our Volunteer Services page: https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/volunteer#toppick. Thank you for expressing interest, and we hope to see you around soon.
I would like information on volunteering as a baby cuddled. I am a retired preschool owner and would love to volunteer my time.
Hi! I would like to volunteer in the “Cuddle program” opportunity. My name is MarthaLucia León. I am fluent in Spanish too.
Thanks,
MarthaLucia
I’m interested in volunteering as a cuddler. Where do I sign up/train?
Very interested in volunteering, where can I apply?
I am very interested in helping as a cuddler, where can I apply?
I would love to volunteer in the children’s hospital. I read and speak fluent Spanish and English.
Helllo I would love to volunteer as a cuddler, I read and speak fluent Spanish and English and am a medical assistant.