By Frank Keel
The birth of a child is one of life’s most joyous experiences.
But for the parents of prematurely born infants, the first few months of their frail child’s life can be an incredibly stressful time.
In 2022, preterm births affected about one of every 10 infants born in America. The “preemie” phenomenon knows no geographic boundaries. Each year, in Ireland, for example, 4,500 babies are born too small, too soon and too sick.
The hardworking union families of the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council are no strangers to prematurely born children. For that reason, the Trades chose a new charity partner for 2024 and beyond – the Philadelphia-based Superhero Project. The non-profit purchases and places “Angel Eye Cameras” into Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) cribs that allows parents and their families to see their premature infant children on their cell phones when they are unable to be physically by their child’s bedside in the hospital. That connection to their babies – even though it’s through a camera lens – is vitally important to the mental and emotional well-being of the parents. The Superhero Project started in Philadelphia in 2015, but has since grown to have a presence in eight states.
The Trades’ members also had a very personal reason for wanting to adopt The Superhero Project as their new charity partner. The Trades’ Office Manager, Kelly Ross and her husband, Ryan, proud Irish-American residents of Northeast Philadelphia, are the parents of three prematurely born children, eldest daughter Lacey (3) and twin boys, Miles and Cole (1) who were born in 2022 at just 29 weeks gestation.
The boys were severely underweight and had to spend 54 long days in the Holy Redeemer Hospital NICU. The “Angel Eye Cameras” in the twin boys’ cribs, generously provided by The Superhero Project, enabled Kelly and Ryan Ross to see and feel constantly connected to their twin boys when they weren’t physically able to be with them in the hospital. Lacey, Miles and Cole Ross are all doing well now. So are Mom and Dad, thankfully.
“When we went home from the hospital without our babies, it was shocking,” recalls Kelly Ross. “The only thing that gave us any hope and happiness was the Angel Eye Camera provided by the Superhero Project. We streamed the videos on our TV so when we woke up in the night or got upset without them, we would feel like they were there with us. Our parents, grandparents, and siblings were all able to download the app, as well, and watch the babies whenever they wanted. Throughout all of it, The Superhero Project showed us we were not alone. They provided us with gift cards on holidays, a Thanksgiving Meal, pajamas, baby swaddles and more. Most importantly, through the Angel Eye Camera system, they provided us with24/7 access to our babies. We’re forever grateful.”
The Building Trades is raising money for The Superhero Project through sponsorship proceeds from its annual All Star Labor Classic, its largest annual fundraiser that showcases the region’s best male and female high school basketball players. This year’s All Star Labor Classic–free and open to the public–will be played Sunday, April 14 at Holy Family University in Northeast Philadelphia. The Building Trades Council has set a fundraising goal of $200,000 for the 2024 All Star Labor Classic, which would be the largest charitable donation the Superhero Project has ever received..
There are many wonderful event sponsorship opportunities available now. To learn more, drop an email to: [email protected]
You can also visit the event website at www.allstarlaborclassic.com.
For more information,visit The Superhero Project at https://superheroprojectinc.org/
