Silver Cross OB/NICU Team Forged ‘Nyla’s Nation’ for June 9 March of Dimes Walk
Miracle baby Nyla Haywood, born at just 22.3 weeks, is the Ambassador Child for the March of Dimes Orland Park Walk on Saturday, June 9.
When Peggy Farrell, DNP RN, joined Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox from Florida in 2023, she not only brought decades of experience, she also brought her passion for the March of Dimes.
“I was very involved in the March of Dimes March for Babies when I worked in Florida,” said Farrell, DNP, RN, Director of the Amy, Matthew & Jay Vana Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Silver Cross Hospital. “Bringing support for strong moms and safe births. And we had a strong response for our team there, probably a couple hundred people.”
So, last November, she called the local March of Dimes office and asked them about this year’s march and if they had an ambassador, a person the march would be dedicated to.
Farrell said she had a couple in mind, but as the weeks progressed, the choice became easy.
The walkers at the June 9 march in Orland Park will be wearing T-shirts bearing the name, “Nyla’s Nation.”
Nyla Haywood was discharged May 13 from the Silver Cross NICU after six months. She was born at 22 weeks on Nov. 17, 2023, weighing 1.1 pounds and measuring 11 inches. Upon discharge, she was up to 10 pounds and doing very well.
“We selected ‘Nyla’s Nation’ because it took a nation to care for her,” Farrell said. “Every department in these four walls (at Silver Cross) touched her somehow. The T-shirts are pink, which we heard is Nyla’s favorite color,” Farrell added tongue-in-cheek.
Nyla’s parents, NaKeya and Cory Haywood of Joliet, could not be more thrilled with the honor.
“There are four entry classes, and Nyla will represent the pre-term class. It will be good to show people she’s getting stronger and will be OK,” said NaKeya.
The family will be up on stage at Centennial Park to be recognized before the walk begins at 9:15 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m., said Farrell.
“We have 65 walkers signed up already, and we could use more,” she said. “Our fundraising goal is $3,000, but we have a ways to go. Walkers don’t have to work at Silver Cross. We have some family members, and people from the community are welcome to join us.”
To join the Silver Cross March of Dimes team, visit https://www.marchforbabies.org/Fundraising/Team?teamId=1435751&teamEventId=3006724 .
For more information about Silver Cross Hospital’s NICU, visit www.silvercross.org/nicu
