The Hurried Stork

On October 1, 2006, on the occasion of the Prematurity Day organized by Prof. Rocco Agostino and Mrs. Laura Coia, primary and head nurse of the Complex Operating Unit of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care, with the collaboration of Father Prior Fra Geminiano Corradini, a group of parents of children born preterm, assisted in Neonatal Intensive Care, decided to establish a voluntary association with the aim of helping families who are facing the delicate and often traumatic event of premature birth.

Since January 2007, the Association – baptised “La Cicogna Frettolosa” – has started its activity within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), with the aim of supporting both children born prematurely or at term with pathologies, and their parents, during and after their stay in the department.

Among the activities supported by “La Cicogna Frettolosa”, there are meetings in the ward between the parents of the Association and the parents of hospitalized children aimed at providing psychological and moral support through the exchange of experiences and emotions, financing for the purchase of equipment and parenting projects.

The objective of “La Cicogna Frettolosa” is currently to relate nationally with other structures aimed at the same purpose, in order to create a collaboration network that can increase the functionality of the service offered.The Association guarantees its presence in the department twice a month from 15.30 to 17.00 in addition to a daily telephone availability, to provide advice to anyone in need.