The Memorial Hospital Auxiliary’s 26th Annual Tree of Lights fundraiser met its goal to purchase equipment for the pediatric unit. Donations made to the auxiliary during the holiday season were used to fund a $3,500 monitor that tracks the heart and respiration rates of infants at risk for apnea, a pause in or absence of breathing that can lead to sudden infant death.

Electrical leads from the tabletop monitor are attached to a child who is under surveillance for apnea. An alarm sounds if a baby’s breathing or heart rate drops below a pre-set limit.

“The use of the apnea monitor in the hospital reassures parents because they know that their infant is being closely monitored and that medical professionals are there to respond to the alarm,” says Linda Yungbluth, clinical specialist for respiratory care at Shore Health System.