Supporter Toolkit

Welcome to NICU Awareness Month

Hi, I'm Pea!

I'm so glad you're here; let's grow hope together!

Pea is the little heart behind Project Sweet Peas and your guide throughout NICU Awareness Month. Along the way, Pea will help you discover ways to remember, support, celebrate, and grow hope for NICU families while recognizing—and yes, ap-PEA-ciating—the incredible healthcare professionals, volunteers, and supporters who walk beside them every day.
Each September, Neonatal Intensive Care Awareness Month brings people together to create a more supportive and empowered community for NICU patients, their families, and the dedicated professionals who care for them during some of life's most challenging moments. Every small act of kindness, every shared story, and every conversation helps make a meaningful difference.
Throughout the month, we invite you to amplify the voices of NICU families, explore helpful resources, participate in our awareness days, and share your own story. Whether you're a NICU family, healthcare professional, volunteer, advocate, or supporter, you are an important part of this community. Together, we can grow hope, inspire connection, and make a lasting impact—one family at a time.
Explore the resources below and join us in spreading awareness, sharing hope, and making a difference this September.

Every act of support—big or small—helps grow hope for NICU families. Explore the ways you can make a difference below.

Change Your Profile Picture

Use one of our profile graphics below to raise awareness.
Don't see a graphic represented? Please email us at [email protected]

Light up your community buildings & homes!

We are asking buildings to light up green on September 30, NICU Awareness Day - or even for the whole month of September. View and edit our sample letter request.

Light Up the Night Sample Letter

Submit a NICU Awareness Proclamation Request

NICU Awareness Proclamations can be requested at the state, county, or city level. View our letter and info sheet templates to get started.

Proclamation Letter Template

NICU Fact Sheet (Coming Soon)

Once you've received your Proclamation or Light the Night Green confirmation,
please report it using the link below.

Proclamation & Light the Night Green Report Form

Pea's Posting Tips

Sharing your support is one of the easiest ways to help grow awareness! Download a graphic below, add your own story or message, and use #NICUAwareness so we can cheer you on.

Here are a few ideas:
🟢 Honor a NICU family.
🟢 Thank a healthcare professional.
🟢 Share your NICU journey.
🟢 Tell others why NICU Awareness matters to you.
🟢 Encourage friends and family to learn more.
Tag Project Sweet Peas in your posts—we'd love to celebrate your story with you!

The graphics below are free to use during NICU Awareness Month.
No part of the graphics may be edited, removed, or changed in any way without prior written approval from Project Sweet Peas.

Check out the Initiative Days for more details and ways you can participate in NICU Awareness Month!

Every story has the power to inspire hope, raise awareness, and remind NICU families they are never alone.
Whether you're sharing your NICU journey, honoring a loved one, thanking a healthcare professional, or simply showing your support, your voice helps others feel seen, understood, and encouraged.
Explore the resources below to share your story in a way that's meaningful to you.
You can:
💚 Share your experience on social media using #NICUAwareness
🌱 Submit your story to Project Sweet Peas so it can inspire hope and encourage other families.

Post a September Selfie

Post a #SeptemberSelfie sharing with others who you are honoring or remembering this September. Download the printable file below.

Write a Note

Write a note to a NICU Nurse or staff member who made a difference for your family; or share some advice to current NICU parents. Download one of the printable cards below to get started.

📰 Want to share your story with local media?

Our Interview Tips can help you feel prepared and confident before speaking with a reporter.

Even the smallest act of kindness can grow into something amazing.

Give back to your NICU

Raise funds for equipment and other items needed in your NICU. Most NICU's will have a wishlist of items that would improve the quality of care provided in their unit.

Deliver in-kind donations for families of babies in the NICU. Families experiencing a NICU stay will find comfort in items donated to benefit their health and the well-being of their baby. Check out our store for some NICU items and gear.

Host an event in which families can connect with one another. Consider planning an event at your hospital in which you provide a meal, crafting event, photo session or other service that promotes interaction. Families will benefit from connecting with others that have endured a similar journey.
Check with your local NICU about current restrictions and guidelines.

Support the staff who have dedicated themselves to caring for patients in the NICU.
Bring meals or special gifts to let them know you appreciate all of their work!

Deliver a random act of kindness in honor or memory of a NICU baby.
Download one of the printable card templates below.

Host a Fundraiser

Start an independent peer2peer fundraiser to support NICU families. All proceeds go to support Project Sweet Peas, a non-profit dedicated to providing care packages, hospital events, financial support and other services to NICU families nationwide.

Host a Fundraiser