Health care heroes: Raising money for essentials

Megan Sanders, a NICU nurse at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Park Ridge, began her nursing career in the NICU in 2001 and later began working on an as-needed basis to be able to spend more time at home with her family. She picks up many weekend shifts and helps her peers by taking their shifts if they need time off.

Megan recently took the lead on organizing a fundraiser, but she credits the entire NICU team for making it happen. Their goal was to raise $100, but the unit was able to raise $800. They provided snacks, drinks, fruit, Kcups, toiletries and even a Keurig to the Emergency Department at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and Advocate Children’s Hospital – Park Ridge.

“We all know how hard those units are working on the front lines, and we wanted to find a way to boost morale, make them smile and remind them that we stand behind them when they need us,” says Megan. “Our organization has always encouraged a team mentality, so even if we can’t physically stand with them, we will find ways to take care of them.”

Megan’s manager, Colette, says she did a tremendous job organizing, preparing and delivering the donation. “She had a vision and completed it in less than a week!”

Megan and her peers are currently working on supporting Advocate Lutheran General COVID units with the excess funds raised.

“I like thinking of the donation as a symbol of how well our team works together and how we always show up as a team,” she says. “That is one of the strengths of our unit. We are fortunate to work in such a supportive and compassionate place.”