NICU Babies Parent Support

Hand to Hold
  • 5.0 (21)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

The NICU is hard. We're here to help. Hand to Hold® is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby's NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English & Spanish. Learn more or get support at handtohold.org Follow Hand to Hold: Facebook.com/HANDtoHOLD Instagram: @handtohold Twitter: @NICUHandtoHold YouTube: @handtohold

  1. Sep 2

    S13 E159: Fighting the 1% Odds ft. Derick Hall, NFL Player & Super Bowl Champion & his mom, Stacy Gooden-Crandle

    September is NICU Awareness Month, making this an especially meaningful time to share Derick and Stacy's story. As part of its ongoing Little Fighters campaign, Huggies is continuing to spotlight the strength and resilience of NICU babies, including by renaming its Nano and Micro Preemie diapers from 'Little Snugglers' to 'Little Fighters.' Throughout the month of September, Huggies will also amplify the stories of real Little Fighters and encourage others to champion and support them by liking, commenting on and sharing stories at @NICULittleFighters. The more stories are seen and shared, the more support can be rallied for NICU families, helping them feel seen while also driving donations to the Derick Hall One Percent Foundation. As a 23-week micropreemie, born without a heartbeat, Derrick Hall was given a 1% chance of surviving. In 2026, he became an NFL Super Bowl champion with the Seattle Seahawks, defeating the New England Patriots 29-13. No matter how dark the days were, his mom, Stacy Gooden-Crandle, never gave up on her son. Together, they're champions for NICU babies and families. In this week's interview, they share their story of resiliency and their partnership with Huggies and the "Little Fighters" campaign, benefitting Hall's One Percent Foundation that focuses on supporting premature babies and their families, combating food insecurity, and addressing childhood obesity in underserved communities.     💚 Connect with Kathryn Whitaker Instagram  |  Facebook  |  TikTok  |  Website   💚 Connect with Derick Hall & Stacy Gooden-Crandle Instagram (Derick)  |  X  |  Instagram (Stacy) |  One Percent Foundation  |  Website   📺Socials 📺 Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest   🔗Links Huggies Little Fighters website Fox Business Medium Little Black Book   Music Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

  2. Aug 26

    S13 E158: Season 13: In Their Own Words ft. Kathryn Whitaker

    Everybody has a story. And it's our stories that have the power to heal, educate and inspire. This season, we alternate between family stories and NICU professional stories. We reveal their experiences and then we dig a little deeper, giving honor to the diagnosis and highlighting the emotions, the feelings and the hope. Our guests include an NFL Super Bowl champion and his mom, couples, babies born twice, bereaved parents, neonatologists, maternal fetal medicine doctors, child life specialists and more. Nobody's NICU story, or outcome, is the same, but there are some things universal to the experience. IYKYK.This season is about the experience, the emotion, the outcome and the wisdom. It might be our favorite season yet!   💚 Connect with the host, Kathryn Whitaker: Instagram  |  Facebook  |  TikTok  |  Website   📺Socials 📺 Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest   Music Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

  3. Jul 29

    S12 E157: Grieving Apart ft. Lana Macrum-Craig, Bereaved Single Parent

    July is National Bereaved Parents Awareness Month. Twice a week, we are re-releasing past podcast episodes honoring a variety of families and circumstances in their grief. Trigger warning: this episode centers on infant loss and grief. In this episode, Lana shares the story of her daughter, Allie Reese, who was born with restrictive dermopathy and spent three precious weeks in the NICU before her death. She reflects on the profound impact of losing her daughter, the strain that grief placed on her marriage, and the eventual loss of that relationship as she and her husband grieved in different ways. Lana's honest and vulnerable conversation explores the complexities of mourning, healing after multiple losses, and finding support and connection through the bereavement community.    📺Socials 📺 Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest   Music Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

  4. Jul 27

    S12 E156: No Matter How Brief ft. Ben & Emilee Blackburn, Bereaved Parents

    July is National Bereaved Parents Awareness Month. Twice a week, we are re-releasing past podcast episodes honoring a variety of families and circumstances in their grief. Trigger warning: this episode centers on infant loss and grief. In this episode, Ben and Emilee Blackburn share the story of their daughter, Tatum, who was born prematurely and died shortly after birth. They reflect on the devastating grief that followed, the different ways they each processed their loss, and how their shared commitment to honoring Tatum's memory strengthened their family over time. Their conversation highlights the healing power of purpose and legacy as they offer hope to other bereaved parents navigating life after loss.    📺Socials 📺 Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest   🔗Links Book: Jantsen's Gift by Pam Cope    Music Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

  5. Jul 22

    S12 E155: The Beginning of Grief ft. Jennifer McDonald, Bereaved Parent

    July is National Bereaved Parents Awareness Month. Twice a week, we are re-releasing past podcast episodes honoring a variety of families and circumstances in their grief. Trigger warning: this episode centers on infant loss and grief. In this episode, Jennifer McDonald shares the story of her son, Winston, from a complicated pregnancy and early labor to his time in the NICU and the devastating experience of losing him. She reflects on the first year of grief after Winston's death, the ways loss transformed her perspective, and the ongoing process of honoring his memory. Jennifer's heartfelt conversation offers insight into the early stages of bereavement and how she channeled her love for her son.    📺Socials 📺 Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest   🔗Links Mommies Enduring Neonatal Death (MEND)   Music Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

  6. Jul 20

    S12 E154: Stitched with Your Color ft. Anissa Scholes, Bereaved Parent

    July is National Bereaved Parents Awareness Month. Twice a week, we are re-releasing past podcast episodes honoring a variety of families and circumstances in their grief. Trigger warning: this episode centers on infant loss and grief. In this episode, Anissa Scholes shares the story of her daughter, Elisabeth, who was diagnosed with Trisomy 18 before birth and lived for a year surrounded by love and celebration. Anissa reflects on parenting a child with a life-limiting diagnosis, cherishing milestones that many thought impossible, and navigating the profound grief that followed Elisabeth's death. Her moving story explores the deeply personal nature of grief, the importance of supporting bereaved families without judgment, and the challenge of grieving while continuing to care for other children at home.    📺Socials 📺 Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest   🔗Links Texas Childrens Hospital Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center SOFT TedX Talk: Beyond Closure Book: On Loss and Living Onward by Melissa Dalton-Bradford Book: Lament for a Son by Nicholas Wolterstorff Poem: Separation by W.S. Merwin   Music Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

  7. Jul 15

    S12 E153: Adding Life ft. Dr. Terri Major-Kincade

    July is National Bereaved Parents Awareness Month. Twice a week, we are re-releasing past podcast episodes honoring a variety of families and circumstances in their grief. Trigger warning: this episode centers on infant loss and grief. In this episode, neonatologist Dr. Terri Major-Kincade shares the role of palliative care in the NICU and how families can navigate difficult or life-limiting diagnoses. She discusses the language healthcare providers use when communicating with parents, the importance of compassionate decision-making, and key questions families can ask their medical team when facing uncertain outcomes. This thoughtful conversation offers guidance, clarity, and support for parents seeking to make informed choices while honoring their baby's life and legacy.    📺Socials 📺 Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest   🔗Links Dr. Terri Major-Kincade's Website Book: Early Arrival by Dr. Terri Major-Kincade   Music Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

  8. Jul 13

    S12 E152: Channeling Grief Into Good ft. Charles & Claire George

    July is National Bereaved Parents Awareness Month. Twice a week, we are re-releasing past podcast episodes honoring a variety of families and circumstances in their grief. Trigger warning: this episode centers on infant loss and grief. In this episode, Claire and Charles George share the story of their son, Thomas, who was born with a congenital heart defect and passed away at the age of three. They candidly discuss the profound grief that followed his death, how they supported one another through loss, and the challenges of grieving as a couple. Their inspiring conversation highlights how they transformed their heartbreak into a legacy of service, channeling their grief into helping and supporting other families facing similar journeys.    📺Socials 📺 Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest   🔗Links Full Circle Grief Center Claire's Website Worden's Four Tasks of Mourning   Music Thriving Together [Full version] by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10332-thriving-together-full-version License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license   Bright Colors Of Life by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7855-bright-colors-of-life License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

See All (161)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

The NICU is hard. We're here to help. Hand to Hold® is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents with personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after their baby's NICU stay. NICU support is available at no cost to NICU parents in English & Spanish. Learn more or get support at handtohold.org Follow Hand to Hold: Facebook.com/HANDtoHOLD Instagram: @handtohold Twitter: @NICUHandtoHold YouTube: @handtohold

Information

You Might Also Like