The Gift of Giving

MacKenzie and her family know all too well what it’s like to spend the holidays in the hospital. MacKenzie spent 100 days in Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center’s neonatal intensive care unit. These days included her first Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Valentine’s Day.

Now 17-years-old, MacKenzie remains grateful for the care she received. She was given the gift to grow up, and every year, she pays that gift forward by giving back to the team who gave her and her family hope during a scary time.

With the support of family and friends, near and far, MacKenzie drops off hundreds of snacks and drinks for the family lounge, and she also makes special gift bags for the families that include a blanket, an ornament, and a onesie.

MacKenzie, who was our Medical Center’s 2020 and 2021 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals champion child, is truly an inspiration. She teaches us that we can all make a few minutes of time to pay it forward and make a difference in the lives of our friends and neighbors.