As a mom of two small children, it would be a complete understatement to say I'm concerned about the lack of an emergency pediatric unit at our local hospital. Every moment matters in an emergency, and currently, the closest unit is located almost an hour and a half away (not accounting for Atlanta traffic) in north Atlanta, at the Arthur M. Blank CHOA. As a parent, I feel this is unacceptable. This distance is a serious barrier to accessing the essential, urgent services that could save our children's lives. 

Nationally, pediatric emergencies account for nearly 30 million ER visits yearly, with cases often requiring specialized care to address the unique physiological and psychological needs of children (National Emergency Medical Services for Children Data Resource Center). By not having a local pediatric emergency unit in place, we put our children at unnecessary risk.

Fayette County prides itself on being a safe, family oriented community, and we need to urge our local health authorities to establish an emergency pediatric unit at our local hospital; Piedmont Fayette. It's not a luxury - it's a vital part of safeguarding our children's health and wellbeing. Please sign and share this petition to ensure we provide the best possible care for the youngest members of our community.