Our family recently experienced an incredibly emotional and challenging journey—it is one that countless others may also face, and it is why we are urging for change. We just celebrated the birth of our great-grandchild, an event meant to be joyous. However, it quickly turned into a medical emergency. After the mother developed severe preeclampsia and the baby showed signs of fetal distress, both were transferred by ambulance to the nearest Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) facility. The hospital was an overwhelming 80 miles away, and every moment felt like an eternity. Thankfully, the mother didn't deliver during the intense journey to the Level III NICU. A few hours later, an emergency C-section was performed, and our precious baby was immediately placed in the NICU, where she will stay for several weeks.

However, our story isn't unique. Families across Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand area are vulnerable due to the alarming lack of local NICU facilities. In severe birth crises such as maternal preeclampsia or premature birth, newborns and mothers face the daunting prospect of long-distance transfers to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, a two-hour drive, or McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, over an hour away. MUSC operates a state-designated Level IV NICU with 80 beds, and McLeod's 48-bed Level III NICU might not always be able to accommodate every infant in need. We are left with no other options.

The challenges of distance and time cannot be understated. For families, these moments are critical and can define the immediate and long-term health outcomes of their children. 

a delay caused by availability or transportation  could mean the difference between life and death.

We are calling on local health authorities, policymakers, and stakeholders in the Myrtle Beach area to address this urgent need by establishing a local Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. A Level III or ideally a Level IV NICU would provide specialized care and give newborns and their families the best chance for a favorable outcome without the strain and risk of a long transfer.

This issue is both community-specific and widespread, impacting countless families. It is time to take decisive action to ensure no family has to endure additional stress during life-altering situations. More than ever, our community needs a facility that acknowledges the fragile start many of our newborns face and supports their healthy futures.

We urge you to support this petition for establishing a NICU in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Let's prioritize the immediate safety and health of our women and babies. Please, add your voice so that no family has to experience the distance and fear we faced. Sign this petition to help bring vital neonatal care closer to home for all families in our community.