Meet This 73-Year-Old Volunteer Baby Cuddler
A 73-year-old man named Dave Whitlow has spent the last eight years volunteering as a “cuddler” in the NICU at Children’s Hospital of Richmond in Virginia.
Dave goes two days a week to comfort premature and critically ill babies. Before holding them, he learns about their condition from nurses and keeps a close eye on their monitors, treating every cuddle very carefully.
Another volunteer we should highlight is right here at Norton Children’s Hospital…June Hampe is retiring after volunteering for over 18 years.
Over the years, June could be found on the floor playing cars or blocks with patients. She also would hold babies in the neonatal intensive care unit who needed extra love while parents were getting much-needed rest or returning to work. Additional tasks included leading group visits and giving out toys or comfort items.
The Norton Children’s volunteer workforce encompasses more than 300 talented people ranging in age from 13 to 85.