A family's mission to bring comfort, hope and support to NICU families

When Stephanie and Jess McClaskey welcomed their daughter, Izabel, 10 weeks early in September 2014, nothing could have prepared them for the whirlwind ahead. Weighing just 2 pounds, 7 ounces, baby “Belle” spent 44 days in NKC Health’s Level III NICU — a time filled with fragile milestones, sleepless nights, medical uncertainty and the emotional ache of leaving one child at home while caring for another in intensive care.

Stephanie, a radiologic technologist in the Pain Clinic, remembers how overwhelming those early days felt.

“Even though I had a tribe supporting me, nobody close to me had ever gone through a NICU stay,” she said. “I still felt alone, even surrounded by people who loved me.”

As Belle fought to grow stronger, she overcame many challenges. She learned to breathe without support and navigated low heart rate episodes. She also worked through early eye complications and slowly mastered feeding. Through every milestone, the McClaskeys found a lifeline in the nurses and staff who offered gentle explanations and celebrated every hard-won step forward.

“They were our saving grace,” Stephanie said. “They didn’t just take care of Izabel; they took care of us.”

A thank you becomes a movement

When Izabel was discharged just before Halloween, the McClaskeys returned to the NICU at Christmas with a simple gesture: homemade treats and hot cocoa fixings for the nurses and staff who had cared for their daughter.

That small thank you became the beginning of something much bigger.

A year later, in 2015, Stephanie expanded her efforts, creating the first care packages for families spending the holidays in the NICU. She packed journals, pens, snacks, small stuffed animals and handwritten notes filled with tips she wished she’d known during her own stay, such as reminders to eat, take breaks and ask questions.

“You can’t take care of your baby if you don’t take care of yourself,” she said.

By 2016, Belle’s Brigade had grown beyond a family effort. Friends and coworkers donated items and sponsored packages. Stephanie started using NICU Awareness Month in September to share facts, personal experiences and online education. Her goal was to build understanding, foster connection and make sure NICU families never feel as alone as she once did.

A mission rooted in empathy

For Jess, who works in IT, the heart of Belle’s Brigade is simple.

“We’ve lived the anxiety, the stress and the fear,” he said. “We understand. And we want to offer hope, to let them know there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.”

The McClaskeys have personally delivered some packages to patients, giving them the chance to connect with parents at the bedside. Those moments, Stephanie said, remind her why the work matters.

“Sometimes moms just need to hear that it’s going to be OK,” she said. “That yes, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. But they will get through it.”

Over the past eight years, Belle’s Brigade has assembled roughly 300 care packages. Most are delivered during the holidays, though Stephanie occasionally creates special packages other times of the year.

What’s inside a Belle’s Brigade care package

Each package is thoughtfully developed with both practicality and emotional support in mind. Items typically include:

• Journal and pen for tracking questions, milestones and medical updates
• Snacks and gentle reminders to take breaks
• $10 gas card to ease travel costs
• Stuffed animal
• Preemie-themed board book, often featuring the famous preemie Fiona the Hippo
• Heartfelt letter filled with tips, resource links and personal advice

The Brigade also brings holiday treats for the NICU staff each year. Izabel, now a thriving 11-year-old, has become the Brigade’s official baker, preparing the family’s signature Danishes and other goodies.

“She’s perfected the recipe,” Stephanie said proudly. “We just prep the ingredients and let her run the kitchen.”

Family roots and generational support

Stephanie’s mother, Rosalie, has also become a faithful member of the Brigade. In the early years, she helped with food and errands. Now she helps assemble packages and preps the treats.

“It was scary watching my daughter go through something like that,” Rosalie said. “Now, being able to support other families means a lot.”

Looking ahead: A growing support network

Beyond the holiday tradition, Stephanie is hopeful for the future. She would like to develop a NICU support group where parents can share their stories, fears and victories with people who truly understand.

“Moms often carry guilt, even when they know it’s not their fault,” Stephanie said. “A support group could help them see they’re not alone.”

Belle’s Brigade continues to grow each year, proving that kindness can make a profound difference.

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Kim Shopper

Kim has worked at NKCH for nearly 40 years where she produces the employee newsletter and manages internal campaigns. She is a board member for the Kansas City Health Communicators, and she is passionate about animal rescue and volunteers for the Parkville Animal Shelter.