Hundreds of NICU families graduate at Q2 Stadium

NICU graduate reunion at Q2 Stadium

Parents, children and hospital staff came together for a celebration of life. They walked across the stage at Q2 stadium in the second annual NICU Graduate Reunion.

AUSTIN, Texas - Hundreds of parents and children of all ages stood in line for the opportunity to cross the stage as NICU graduates.

"We waited in line for about 30 minutes for my daughter to put on her little cap and just walk the stage. There has got to be hundreds of families here," said NICU parent Emily Fite.

Families from across central Texas made their way to Q2 Stadium on Sunday to celebrate, support and reunite with former NICU patients.

"Our little NICU grads get to celebrate their journey entering this world and how hard they had to fight to stay in it, and we get to reunite with medical personnel that were in the hospital with us," Fite said.

Hand to Hold NICU graduation

Hand to Hold is hosting its second annual NICU graduation ceremony to celebrate how far former NICU babies have come. Emily Fite joins Good Day Austin to talk about the event.

"It is just a long journey," Kelli Kelley, founder and CEO of Hand to Hold, said. "Hand to Hold comes alongside these NICU families and walks that journey with them. We have a mental health peer specialist to work in all of the NICUs. They are at their baby’s bedside and supporting them through those very difficult times."

Graduates walked across the stage in green hats every hour. The ceremony served as a memorable moment and a milestone for many.

"The NICU is the neonatal intensive care unit, it is the ICU for teeny tiny babies. To meet your child and become a parent in that environment, you can't picture a sunshining day like today," Fite said. "My daughter was born at 34 weeks, weighing 3 lbs 15 oz. She had a 37-day NICU stay. She is 18 months old now."