Holding On to Hope: Honoring NICU Awareness Month
Holding on to Hope
September is not only Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, it is also NICU Awareness Month—a time to recognize the tiniest warriors, their families, and the incredible teams who fight alongside them.
As a fellow NICU parent, I know firsthand that the journey is filled with emotions most people can’t fully imagine—fear, exhaustion, uncertainty, but also resilience, love, and hope.
Walking into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for the first time feels like stepping into another world: the soft beeps of monitors, the hum of machines, the rows of isolettes. You want nothing more than to scoop your baby into your arms and take them home, yet instead, you find yourself learning a new language of oxygen levels, feeding tubes, and growth charts.
It’s overwhelming, but it’s also a place where miracles happen every single day.
To the NICU Parents
If you are in the thick of it right now, I want you to hear this: you are not alone.
Your strength is showing up each day, even when you’re running on empty. Your love is felt with every gentle touch, every whispered word, every moment spent by your baby’s side. You are doing enough—even when it doesn’t feel like it.
It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to feel afraid. It’s okay to lean on others. The NICU journey is not one anyone chooses, but it’s one that reveals just how deep a parent’s love truly runs.
How We Can All Support NICU Families
💛 Offer presence, not pressure. Sometimes, just being there to listen makes all the difference.
💛 Celebrate the small victories. Every ounce gained, every tube removed, every milestone reached is worth cheering for.
💛 Spread awareness. Share stories, wear NICU awareness colors, or support organizations that provide resources to families.
💛 Show grace. NICU parents often live in survival mode—your patience and understanding matter.
A Message from Cookies Refuge, Inc.
To all the parents, babies, and caregivers touched by the NICU—we see you. We honor your fight, your strength, and your unwavering love.
This September, let’s not only raise awareness but also wrap our NICU families in compassion and community. Whether your baby is still in the NICU, has graduated, or is forever in your heart—know this: you and your story matter.
From one NICU parent to another: you are enough, and you are never alone. 💛👶
