VINELAND — The Deborah F. Sager Memorial Fund celebrated a decade of support from Century Savings Bank during a special appreciation event March 30 at Inspira Medical Center Vineland. On the 10th anniversary of the bank’s first contribution, Century donated $10,000 in December 2021, matching donor dollars and fulfilling Century’s Preemie Promise for 2020 and 2021. This most recent donation brings the total amount donated by Century Savings Bank to the fund to $34,487 since 2011.
“We are so pleased to have the opportunity to properly express our deep appreciation for Century Savings Bank’s decade of support,” said Penny Sager-Rossi, founder of the fund. “Through Century’s Preemie Promise, donors know their dollars have a double impact. Century’s continued generosity has helped work miracles for countless premature babies who are doing well today thanks to the life-saving medical care they received at the Deborah F. Sager Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Inspira Medical Center. Vineland.
Century’s generosity began in December 2011 when the bank made its first donation to the fund, which helps support medical care for premature babies at NICU Deborah F. Sager at Inspira Vineland Medical Center. Their year-end giving intensified in 2016 when they launched their “Preemie Promise” campaign to fund the critical care needs of premature babies in South Jersey. Since then, Century has committed to matching individual donations to the DFSMF, dollar for dollar, up to $5,000, in the fourth quarter of each year.
“Century Savings Bank is proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of supporting the Deborah F. Sager Memorial Fund and to encourage members of our community to take advantage of Preemie Promise to make a more impactful gift to bring hope to the seriously ill premature infants. and their families in South Jersey,” said David J. Hemple, managing director of Century Savings Bank. “Inspira is making incredible strides to improve every preemie’s chance of a miraculous recovery.”
Premature babies, those born as early as 23 weeks, have more health problems and require longer hospital stays than full-term babies and may also have long-term health problems.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 10 infants will spend some time in a neonatal intensive care unit. The Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative reports that survival rates for toddlers improve when they are born in a hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit.
Through a collaboration between Nemours Children’s Health System and Inspira Health, Nemours neonatologists and highly trained Inspira nurses provide lifesaving 24-hour medical care to critically ill and preterm newborns who require care. intensive and often complex at Inspira Vineland Medical Center. The Deborah F. Sager NICU is able to care for premature infants born at all gestational ages with a birth weight of less than two pounds.
Preemies born in Cumberland, Salem, Gloucester and parts of Cape May and Atlantic counties are receiving lifesaving medical care to produce positive results.
Since preemies can spend anywhere from days to months or more in the NICU, parents are often relieved that expert Deborah F. Sager NICU care exists so close to home, reducing time and the stress of travel.
The warm, friendly and personal support that premature babies and their families receive at the Deborah F. Sager NICU is a source of hope and strength for those in need. Years after leaving the NICU, the grateful parents still see the medical team as part of their support network, returning to visit and updating doctors on the health and well-being of their children.
To make a donation or for information about the Deborah F. Sager Memorial Fund, call the Inspira Health Foundation at (856)-535-9405 or visit dfsmf.org.
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