Welcome to the Hand to Hold NICU Hero Award Contest!
The NICU Hero Award Contest is
free to enter and is open to
all NICU parents (past and present) to nominate a NICU professional (a nurse, neonatologist, social worker, or other medical professional) or
NICU team who has made a difference in your NICU journey by demonstrating compassionate and expert medical care.
The contest is designed to celebrate NICU Heroes with
a tribute photo and short story (up to 250 words). The winners will be determined by the number of votes on each individual entry in each category; NICU professional and NICU team. A
donate-to-vote method will be used with 100% of all proceeds directly benefiting Hand to Hold, a 501(C)(3) nonprofit that provides vital support, educational resources and community for NICU parents and bereaved parents.
The tribute photo can be a photo of your baby, your family, or another photo that reminds you of how grateful you are for your NICU Hero or Hero team. For example: NICU graduation photos, photos outside your hospital, photos of your baby’s first birthday, etc.
1 in 7 babies are admitted to the NICU each year in the U.S. Some stay for a few days for monitoring, while others may stay for many months as they overcome challenges associated with prematurity, low birth weight, birth defects or major medical complications.
Win great prizes! The winning NICU Professional & NICU Team will be
honored with prizes, a keepsake award and a celebration by a national audience of NICU parents and professionals at the virtual 2023 Hand to Hold National NICU Community Conference, November 1-2, 2023.
View more
frequently asked questions about the contest.
Prizes
NICU Professional Grand Prize Winner (1):
- $1,000 gift card for self-care, wellness and relaxation at their favorite local spa, beauty salon or wellness studio
- $1,000 gift card for the Hand to Hold online store for educational resources and/or NICU merchandise
- Personalized NICU Hero Trophy
- The winning NICU Professional will be celebrated by a national audience of NICU parents and professionals at the virtual 2023 Hand to Hold National NICU Community Conference, November 1-2, 2023
- Featured on Hand to Hold's social media channels during the month of November (Prematurity Awareness Month)
NICU Professional Nominating Parents (1):
- $200 Amazon gift card for your family's needs
NICU Team Grand Prize Winner (1):
- Hero Party for their winning NICU team at their hospital
- $1,000 gift card for the Hand to Hold online store for educational resources and/or NICU merchandise
- Personalized NICU Hero Plaque to hang in their hospital
- The winning NICU Team will be celebrated by a national audience of NICU parents and professionals at the virtual 2023 Hand to Hold National NICU Community Conference, November 1-2, 2023
- Featured on Hand to Hold's social media during the month of November (Prematurity Awareness Month)
NICU Team Nominating Parents (1):
- $200 Amazon gift card for your family's needs
*Hand to Hold is solely responsible for all prizing
Hand to Hold® is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) that is dedicated to providing personalized emotional support, education and community to parents who have had children in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or have experienced the loss of a baby. Hand to Hold is removing barriers for support by growing a hybrid model of in-person and virtual support in service to their mission. Hand to Hold provided 62,000 sessions of support to NICU parents in 2022.
Support is provided in English or Spanish to parents at no cost to families, and all support is designed with the emotional, physical and social needs of the NICU parent in mind. For more information, visit HandToHold.org.
"Sometimes I would be crying before I even walked through the door. Kate just always knew the right thing to say. She acknowledged and validated my feelings and urged me to take care of myself."
- Ann, Nominator of 2022 NICU Hero