“A party with a purpose” seemed to be the resounding phrase at Methodist Hospitals Foundation’s Mardi Gras Masquerade. On Saturday night the foundation hosted their annual fundraiser, which helped raise funds for the Neonatal Intensive Care Units for units at both the Northlake and Southlake campuses. A party that celebrates the hospital, their hard workers, and supporters, it gave hope to the people who use Methodist’s services every day.
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Each year Methodist’s Mardi Gras Party has been a party to be at - it’s theme wonderfully creates an atmosphere that livens up everyone’s dreary February, and brings an event that leaves an impact in more ways than one. Party goers donned intricate masks (whether they’re traditionally worn or simply painted on their face), bid on auction items, danced the night away at the end, and overall had a wonderful time in the name of Methodist. Judy Lindsey, Executive Director of the Methodist Hospital’s Foundation, stated that though they put on a great party, the night is still a benefit for NICU that makes a difference for the families who need it.
“The Mardi Gras is a theme where we want to capture the happiness and the joy of the season, but more importantly it helps people focus on what our service mission is to our community.” Lindsey stated. “We have more than 400 people here tonight and we are just incredibly grateful for the support. This will mean a lot to the NICU units, because technology always changes and we need to keep ahead of the latest - this event will help a lot with that.”
“Purpose” was not lost on the guests as the focus on the NICU division was very much evident in the mix and flourish of the green, purple, and yellow of the Mardi Gras Masquerade. Methodist’s Neonatal Unit has cared for 10,000 babies since they opened their doors in 1988, and have cared for 231 high risk infants in 2015 alone. As Northwest Indiana has the highest rate of pre-term births in the state, it’s imperative that the NICU at Methodist gets the funding they deserve to continue to make “miracles happen every day”. Raymond Grady, the President and CEO of Methodist Hospitals, explained that NICU is an irreplaceable service, and the Mardi Gras celebration will help them continue to give to the families that need it the most.
“Having the Neonatal Unit allows us to take care of the most critically ill babies and these babies come to us at a very crucial stage in their lives and they leave in a very healthy state. It’s one of those programs, in my opinion, that really reflects the technology and the quality of care that we bring to patients and families in the Gary community and surrounding area.” Grady stated. “It’s a service that allows us to live a paradox of the work that we do in the place that we’re in. When you think about all of the wonderful things that happens to these kids - that’s a great story to tell, but you also have to think volume of the economics of that kind of care. We take care of the patients regardless of their financial need and tonight’s program lets us do that even more.”
The night came to a perfect head during the presentations as Raymond Grady told the story of little Adrian Brown. Born at just two pounds and six ounces, he spent three months in the NICU unit and left at a healthy eighteen pounds. Very present with Grady and his parents Leslie and Antoine, Adrian was a perfect - and very cute - result of the love and care the NICU gives to their families. Kathy Stevanovich, Children and Women’s Services Manager at Methodist Hospital’s Southlake campus, who has worked with many patients like the Browns, explained that the support from the Masquerade means not only the world to the nurses and doctors in the unit - but to those families as well.
“There’s so many things that we need and tonight will help out with that. It’s not only technology that’s important - it’s the education that we give to the parents and facilities for the babies and their families to stay.” Stevanovich stated. “It’s not easy for the families to take on that long stay, and so we need all of the support to make it easier for them to get the care they need to help their child flourish. It’s incredibly wonderful to see all of these people give to make that happen.”
Overall, the Methodist Masquerade was once again the party of the winter, but it also shined a bright light on the hospital's life changing services and the people who give their all for them. As Methodist continues to grow and improve, it’s Masquerade surely shows there’s support for the hospital for now and the times ahead.