Huggies Awards Seven New "No Baby Unhugged" Grants to Celebrate the Healing Power of Hugs

NEENAH, Wis., Sept. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Huggies^® No Baby Unhugged program is awarding seven $10,000 grants to help support or establish volunteer hugging programs in hospitals across the country. Hugging programs train volunteers to administer the soothing and healing power of touch to babies who are premature or medically fragile, with the goal of improving long-term health outcomes.

"The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can be a place of uncertainty, and parents may often feel overwhelmed by responsibilities outside of the hospital that keep them from being with their baby 24/7," said Kristin Carnall of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston. "Numerous studies show the positive benefits of holding, rocking and soothing on infant weight gain, stress reduction, vital sign stabilization, improved sleep and future language development. We are incredibly grateful to have received the No Baby Unhugged grant to support our NICU families in providing a comfortable, encouraging, intentional space for parents to deliver skin-to-skin care to their infants."

Since the No Baby Unhugged program was initiated in 2016, Huggies has awarded $250,000 in grants to 25 hospitals, allowing hospitals to invest in volunteer training and recruitment, hugger chairs and educational materials for volunteers. The seven hospitals receiving grants this September include:

1. Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston – Atlanta, GA
2. Children's Hospital of Wisconsin at Fox Valley – Neenah, WI
3. John Muir Health, Walnut Creek Medical Center – Walnut Creek, CA
4. Palm Beach Children's Hospital at St. Mary's Medical Center – West Palm Beach, FL
5. Sanford Medical Center Fargo – Fargo, ND
6. St. John's Regional Medical Center – Oxnard, CA
7. University of Maryland Children's Hospital – Baltimore, MD

"We understand the power of hugs and gentle human touch for conveying safety, security and love to babies during this critical time in their development," said Sara Young, general manager of the Huggies Brand. "Volunteer hugging programs are integral to supporting nurses, comforting parents and promoting healing and growth for babies. Huggies continues to be inspired by these hospitals' dedication to the infants they treat and remains committed to providing resources to bolster hugging programs."

"As a hospital CEO and mother of a NICU baby, I understand firsthand how overwhelming a NICU can be for families," said Gabrielle Finley-Hazle of Palm Beach Children's Hospital at St. Mary's Medical Center.   "We are honored to be one of the recipients of the No Baby Unhugged grant to support our NICU Cuddler program so that we can continue to provide healing to these babies and their families."

To be considered for the next round of grants, interested hospitals are encouraged to fill out an application on the Huggies Healthcare website by October 22, 2018. For all others who wish to help support the program, visit Huggies.com/NoBabyUnhugged to become a Huggies Member. For each new membership, Huggies will donate $5 to support hugging program grants for hospitals.

About the Huggies Brand
Huggies believes deeply in the Power of Hugs. That's why every Huggies diaper and wipe is inspired by parents' hugs. For nearly 40 years, Huggies has been helping parents provide love, care and reassurance to help babies thrive. No Baby Unhugged is Huggies promise to ensure babies get the care they need to thrive – from innovative everyday products, growing hospital hugger programs and specially-designed products for the tiniest of babies, to diapers and wipes donations. Huggies is the fastest growing diaper brand in hospitals* and partners with NICU nurses to develop diapers and wipes that meet the specific needs of pre-term infants. For more information on the Huggies No Baby Unhugged program, visit the "Why Huggies?" page at Huggies.com.

*based on verified shipments to US hospitals for the 52 weeks ending 3/31/18.

About Kimberly-Clark:
Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) and its trusted brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries. Fueled by ingenuity, creativity, and an understanding of people's most essential needs, we create products that help individuals experience more of what's important to them. Our portfolio of brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, GoodNites, Intimus, Neve, Plenitud, Viva and WypAll, hold the No. 1 or No. 2 share position in 80 countries. We use sustainable practices that support a healthy planet, build stronger communities, and ensure our business thrives for decades to come. To keep up with the latest news and to learn more about the company's 146-year history of innovation, visit kimberly-clark.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

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Contact: Erica Schmitt
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SOURCE Huggies

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