Some little girls open a lemonade stand so they can save up for a new bike. Others, to buy an ice cream cone at Dairy Queen. But Rosie Hansel, 5, and Cece Hansel, 3, set up their lemonade stand to help the babies at Advocate Condell Medical Center.
On Monday, July 17, the two girls brought all $47.23 of their earnings to “help the sick babies at Condell.” They presented the money to the New Life Center nurses, who showed their gratitude by dressing them up in tiny pink scrubs embroidered with their names and hosting a lemonade tea party.
Jennifer Eder, manager of Labor and Delivery, Special Care Nursery and Perinatal Education, even constructed a lemonade stand for the girls to bring home.
After the sweet treats, the girls helped the unit by stocking diapers and baby supplies and even had the opportunity to announce a baby’s birth by pressing the delivery button that plays a lullaby throughout the hospital.
“It was so fun to meet them. They were the cutest little girls ever,” Eder said. “They’re so young and they know it’s good to give back and take care of their community. We need more little girls like them.”
Kristen Hansel had both girls via C-section at Advocate Condell Medical Center and says the support she received from Advocate Condell’s New Life Center left an indelible impact on her family. Attending the hospital’s “Look What We Can Do” class for new parents and their children even introduced her to some of her close friends.
“The labor and delivery unit has a special place in our young family’s journey,” Hansel said. “We don’t have family in the state, and it has been a great support system for my husband and me,” she said.
The girls have been fascinated with babies and recently became intent on hearing about how they were born, especially how Rosie started her young life in the special care nursery.
As they saw other kids in the neighborhood set up lemonade stands this summer, they decided they wanted to give out free lemonade, but would accept donations to benefit “the sick babies at Advocate Condell.”
“We’re so grateful to be a part of the Hansels’ story and to receive such a thoughtful donation from Rosie and Cece,” said Julie Cason, director of nursing at Advocate Condell Medical Center. “It warms our hearts that they want to help us do the important work we’re doing here every day.”
When asked what Rosie and Cece would say to the babies at Condell, they said they’d say, “Hi! We hope you get home soon!”
How you can help
You can support our youngest patients at Advocate Condell Medical Center by making a gift today. You can also support a hospital or program in your community.