Saturday, October 25, 2008

Knit One Save One and Save a Life

Knit One Save One is a joint project from Save the Children and the Warm Up America! Foundation are calling all knitters to make hats to cover tiny heads and save millions of babies globally.

These two organizations are encouraging people who knit and crochet (and those who want to learn how to knit and crochet) to make hats for newborns.

The Knit One, Save One Project is a great way to introduce children to knitting, crocheting and activism.

More about Knit One Save One
Research shows that 60 percent of the 4 million newborn deaths that occur each year could be prevented if mothers and children in poor countries had access to a simple package of health measures.

This low-cost, effective package includes antibiotics to fight infections, immunizations against tetanus, training for birth attendants, education on breastfeeding and basic care for newborns such as keeping a baby warm with a knit cap, even those born in hot climates.

You can find out More about the Knit One Save One Campaign at the Save the Children Website and the Lion's Brand Yarn Featured Charity Page.

Free Preemie Hat Patterns
The Lion's Brand Yarn Company website provides 11 freely available patterns, some to knit, some to crochet that work for premature and tiny babies.

Read more about Knit One Save One at Squidoo.

Updates 2/2009:
Save the Children's Knit One, Save One Campaign was a huge success. Thanks to the skills and creativity of thousands of knitters over 100,000 caps will be delivered to mothers and newborns in countries like Ethiopia, Nepal and El Salvador.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

From the Heart of a Parent - Bereavement Photography for Grieving NICU Parents

A very special group of volunteer photographers help provide a priceless gift to grieving NICU parents, that of documenting their baby's brief life through something called Bereavement Photography.

In this video clip bereaved parents share their experiences with infant loss and with benefiting from the donated services of the
NILMDTS (Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep) remembrance photographers.




About Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation
The Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation (NILMDTS) administers a network of almost 7,000 volunteer photographers in the United States and twenty-five countries. At a family's request, a NILMDTS Affiliated Photographer will come to your hospital or hospice location and conduct a sensitive and private portrait session.

The portraits are then professionally retouched and presented to the families on an archival DVD or CD that can be used to print portraits of their cherished baby.

More:

Dyer K. 2008. Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (Bereavement Photography) on NBC's Today Show
. NICU Parent Support Blog.
Dyer K. 2007-8. Bereavement Photography
. Squidoo.com