NICU Awareness Month: Honoring Families, Clinicians, and the Journey of Specialized Care

NICU Awareness brings communities together each September to support families, recognize clinicians, and highlight the importance of specialized neonatal care.

What Is NICU Awareness Month?

NICU Awareness Month was founded in 2014 by Project Sweet Peas, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting NICU and bereaved families. Their mission was simple: to increase public understanding of the challenges families face in the NICU and to create a national platform for recognition. What began as a grassroots movement has grown into an annual observance recognized by hospitals, healthcare providers, and communities across the country.

Why Light Green Represents NICU Awareness

Colors are powerful symbols in healthcare advocacy. Just as pink represents breast cancer awareness, light green represents NICU Awareness. The color was chosen for its connection to growth, renewal, and healing — qualities that reflect the NICU journey of fragile infants growing stronger day by day. Wearing light green in September serves as a visible reminder of hope and solidarity.

How NICU Awareness Is Celebrated Nationwide

Hospitals and communities celebrate NICU Awareness Month in many ways:

• Hosting family reunions for graduates of their NICU programs

• Organizing staff appreciation events to thank nurses, neonatologists, and other providers

• Sharing educational campaigns to teach the public about prematurity and neonatal care

• Partnering with nonprofits to raise funds for family support services

How to Celebrate NICU Awareness Month

Here are some ways to recognize NICU Awareness in September:

• Wear light green as a visible sign of support

• Share stories of NICU strength and resilience online

• Thank NICU staff with a message or token of appreciation

• Organize events to raise awareness in your community or hospital

• Support NICU nonprofits like Project Sweet Peas

Why NICU Awareness Is Important for Hospitals

Beyond supporting families, NICU Awareness also highlights the importance of hospital partnerships. A strong NICU program can elevate a hospital’s reputation, attract families seeking specialized care, and demonstrate a commitment to high-quality outcomes.

Celebrating NICU Awareness with Our Partners

Across the country, hospitals celebrate NICU Awareness Month in creative and heartfelt ways. One of our partners, DeTar Hospital North in Victoria, Texas, recently hosted a NICU reunion to bring together families, graduates, and care teams. Events like this highlight the lasting impact of the NICU journey and remind families that they remain part of a larger community long after discharge.

This type of celebration is at the heart of NICU Awareness — it’s about honoring the resilience of babies, the strength of families, and the dedication of NICU clinicians.

Onsite Neonatal’s Commitment

At Onsite Neonatal, NICU Awareness Month is more than a calendar observance. It’s an opportunity to reaffirm our belief that every baby deserves the best possible start. By partnering with hospitals across the country, we deliver 24/7 neonatology coverage, support families through the NICU journey, and help build stronger, more resilient NICU programs.

NICU Awareness Month reminds us that every NICU stay is a story of courage, compassion, and care. 💚 At Onsite Neonatal, we’re proud to support families and partner with hospitals to deliver the highest level of neonatal care. Contact us to learn how we can help strengthen your NICU program.