Hill Country Grandmother Donates Handmade Blankets to UT Health Tyler NICU
Tyler (September 6, 2022) — A distance of more than 300 miles didn’t stop a proud grandmother from spreading love to newborns at UT Health Tyler.
Nancy Savinelli said her own six grandchildren serve as her inspiration for making the crocheted baby blankets she donates to different baby organizations, including the UT Health Tyler Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
“Children are such blessings,” Savinelli said. “I feel it is rewarding to give my blankets to others and it warms my heart.”
Savinelli, who with her husband of 38 years, Peter, retired from IBM to the Texas Hill Country and now lives in Kerrville, said she has been crocheting for many years because of the relaxation it provides. When the pandemic hit, she started crocheting baby blankets, even ordering yarn delivered to her home during the lockdown. Each baby blanket takes about a day to complete, she said.
“I’d like to think each one is crocheted with love, for the baby who receives it,” Savinelli said.
UT Health Tyler NICU Manager Jordan January said she was touched by the heartfelt donation from halfway across the state.
“Donations like these can be helpful for our families and babies here at the NICU because it just provides them an extra layer of comfort,” January said. “When they’re going through these stressful times, it can be so uplifting just knowing that not only is everybody in the hospital caring for them and thinking of them, but also that people in the community at large are sending love and support.”
UT Health Tyler NICU Manager Jordan January, RN, (from left) and Ashley Stroud, RN, accept a donation of baby blankets crocheted by Nancy Savinelli, of Kerrville. Savinelli, who was inspired by her grandchildren, said it warms her heart to donate the blankets.
About UT Health East Texas
UT Health East Texas provides care to thousands of patients each year through an extensive regional network that includes 10 hospitals, more than 50 clinics, the Olympic Plaza Tower, 13 regional rehabilitation facilities, two freestanding emergency centers, regional home health services covering 41 counties, an EMS fleet of more than 50 ambulances and four helicopters, and a comprehensive seven-trauma center care network, including the region’s only Level 1 trauma facility.
As a partner with The University of Texas System, UT Health East Texas is uniquely positioned to provide patients with access to leading-edge research and clinical therapies while training and educating the next generation of physicians and other health professionals. The nationally recognized UT System also includes The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, as well as three other major university medical centers located throughout the state.