MDRT grant brings comfort to RNICU Patients, parents

Published: June 20, 2013

Sparrow's Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is getting new equipment to help keep parents and babies comfortable and healthy thanks to support from the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT).

C. Richard Herrold, CLU, CFP, of East Lansing, Mich., helped to secure a $3,700 grant from the MDRT Foundation on behalf of Sparrow and the families served in the Sparrow RNICU. Herrold, a 35-year MDRT member, is an active supporter of both the MDRT and the Sparrow Foundations.

MDRT grant funds will be used to purchase Herbie Recliners and mamaRoos for parents and babies in the RNICU. The Herbie Recliner is a recliner chair designed for a mother or father to bond skin-to-skin with her/his infant. The mamaRoo cradles the baby while rocking in many different directions, providing much-needed comfort and stimulation to the infant.

"Sparrow is fortunate to receive such generous support for our youngest Patients and their families," said Stella Cash, Sparrow Vice President of Development and Strategic Partnerships. "This new equipment will help make sure baby and parents are comfortable here during their time in the RNICU."

The new equipment was unveiled during the Sparrow Children's Center Telethon, which was held May 31 and June 1 on WILX. Donations are still being accepted by visiting Sparrow.org/Foundation.

The MDRT Foundation was created in 1959 to provide MDRT members with a means to give back to their communities. Since its inception, the Foundation has donated more than $28 million in more than 70 countries throughout the world and in all 50 U.S. states. The majority of these funds were raised by MDRT members from MDRT members.