Andover Cares Donates $20K To Help Opioid-Exposed Newborns

LAWRENCE, MA — Andover Cares has announced it has made a $20,000 donation to Lawrence General Hospital to assist babies suffering from Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS).

NAS affects newborns whose mothers have taken opioids or other addictive substances during pregnancy. Symptoms may include seizures, overactive reflexes, fussiness, excessive crying, poor feeding, slow weight gain and breathing problems.

As with many conditions, early intervention creates the best outcomes for babies suffering from NAS.

"We are so grateful for this very meaningful donation," said Deborah J. Wilson, president and CEO of Lawrence General Hospital. "Our team provides truly outstanding and compassionate care to newborns exposed to opioids or other addictive substances. It is critical that our frontline caregivers have the training and support they need to provide neonatal abstinence syndrome care and this donation helps them do just that."

Andover Cares was formed through the Andover Rotary in 2015 to fundraise for addiction-related causes. The group previously made a $7,500 gift to Lawrence General to benefit opioid-addicted infants.

"The mission of your program is exactly the mission of Andover Cares," Andover Cares Chairman Paul Salafia said about the program at Lawrence General designed to treat babies suffering from NAS.

Salafia continued: "Without question, you have a lot of soldiers in this army and we're ready to stand behind you to help. If you can intervene in a family, and give a child a chance, I knew we had to get involved."