Project Preemie, an effort by a local girl scout to deliver handmade items such as tiny crocheted hats and socks to premature babies, has provided relief and comfort to the parents of premature babies in Flushing Hospital’s NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit).

Jasmine Wu, of Troop 4570, with the help of her troop, youth group, and friends, crocheted and hand-delivered over 150 articles of clothing to premature babies at Flushing Hospital and several other Queens’ hospitals.

“Jasmine’s project is great”, said Monique Hamlett, whose son has been in Flushing Hospital’s NICU since February. “I really appreciate the hats and booties she’s made for my son. Finding something to fit his head and feet is one less things I have to worry about.”

Having a child in the NIC U is a difficult experience for most parents, an experience that Jasmine has witnessed.

“I began this project after my cousin delivered her daughter prematurely and had a hard time finding hats and socks for her,” said Jasmine. “I began wondering how many other parents were out there going through what my cousin went through and was just in need of a small gift that could lift their entire day.”

The crocheted hats and socks are delivered in a brightly colored gift bag, along with an inspirational and comforting quote for parents.

Jasmine Wu was recently named Queens Person of the Week and her delivery to Flushing Hospital’s NICU was featured on NY 1 News.

On Saturday, April 20, at the Mu Dan Hall (Queens Crossings), Flushing Hospital participated in the American Cancer Society’s “Community Health Day.” The purpose of the event was to provide much needed health information and services to the under-served Asian immigrant community.

In past years, the American Cancer Society and Flushing Hospital have organized health fairs in different communities with participation from many community health organizations, local businesses, social services agencies and volunteer health care providers. Every year, over 700 community members attend these health fairs. For “Community Health Day,” Flushing Hospital  provided blood pressure and blood glucose screening, administered by a member of the hospital’s nursing staff, to determine the possibility of hypertension or diabetes in the person being screened. Oral screenings for general dentistry and oral cancer were also performed. Being sensitive to the language barrier that may have existed, Flushing Hospital’s medical professionals worked with a translator to make sure that each person screened fully understood the results of their testing.

Flushing Hospital is proud to participate, annually, in this event and looks forward to a continued relationship with the American Cancer Society.