[1] Register with the Volunteer Services Department. Willie Nelson celebrates 90th birthday with star-studded concerts. That led Cavanaugh to start a volunteer program at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital to help, according to Philly.com. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the incidence of NAS has increased by 383%in the United States since 2000 which means there are a whole lot of babies who need snuggles. Over 25 years later, our cuddler group is over 60 strong and provides comfort to Covenant's tiniest patients 24 hours/day 7 days/week. They have a special program called Baby Buddy The program is currently full and is not accepting volunteers. Whether spending time playing at a patient's bedside, delivering flowers, sorting donations or helping . Imagine all of the worst aspects of opiate withdrawal: the sweats, cramps, irritability, unbearable cravings, nausea, shakes, temperature fluctuations, and bone-deep pain. Learn More. In 2016, the Center for Disease Control reported that the incidence of babies being born addicted to opioids alone had increased from 1.5 per every 1,000 born in 1999 to 6 per every 1,000 born in 2013. Cuddlers are volunteers trained to rock and hold babies in the NICU. Whether you are searching for a rewarding and special way to spend your They need talking. Call 866-755-2121, Home | Privacy Policy & Terms of Use | Contact Us. Continue to volunteer in other areas of the hospital in order to demonstrate your enthusiasm. This is often due to the stigma attached to drug use, especially for expectant mothers. Never let a sense of shame about what youre going through keep you from doing whats best for both you and your child. They do have specialized needs, so not all treatment centers are able to treat them. Everyone must apply regardless of where they want to volunteer, said a spokesperson at the Virtua health system in South Jersey. Ways to volunteer at Seattle Children's. Seattle Children's complies with applicable federal and other civil rights laws and does not discriminate, exclude people or treat them differently based on race, color, religion (creed), sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin (ancestry), age, disability, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or . However, the rising awareness of the opiate epidemic, and the willingness of the medical community, the government, and private citizens to confront this disease, is cause for hope.