No. 19 Vol. 8
www.mypaperonline.com
August 2021
Caldwell Woman’s Selfless Gesture Honors Lost Babies
O
By Jillian Risberg ne of her baby sisters died the year before Ellen Panza was born and that lifelong shattering emptiness for the sibling she never knew created a yearning to support other grieving families. “I am a person who has unfortunately suffered more than my share of personal loss. I decided to turn Ellen Panza my sadness into something that could benefit others,” says Panza, who almost three years ago connected with St. Barnabas Hospital in Livingston and was directed to their corporate offices. NICU Helping Hands’ Angel Gown® Program provides comfort for bereaved families through the gift of a beautiful custom made gown for final photos and burial services. “I subsequently met Mary Doherty and Breanna Matloff from the Development Department, who arranged the delivery of the gowns to the NICU.” She is always looking for ways to help people and animals. “Essentially, I believe it’s all about paying it forward,” Panza says. According to the Caldwell woman, her sister was so small that she was buried in a christening gown. “I can’t imagine my late mother’s pain in needing to shop for something like that after just losing a child born sick,” says Panza. Once she had the idea, she turned to social media — by posting her desire to get involved on town group pages
Angel Gowns completed and dropped off at St. Barnabas Hospital, Livingston NICU
and through word-of-mouth. NICU Helping Hands says there is no greater gift that can be given to a grieving family than affirming the importance of the life of their child through these gowns. According to Panza, when it comes to up-cycling, she collects wedding gowns for several months and then works with a seamstress who subsequently turns them into Angel Gowns. The gowns are either dropped off or she picks them up. She lost count as to how many. Panza calls both her parents her inspiration. “They cared for the unfortunate and taught me that
even the little things make a difference,“ Panza says. “I do what I do in their honor.” Although she never has contact with the families that benefit from her Angel Gowns, getting to be part of the process to create these gowns for the NICU babies at St. Barnabas is extra special and speaks to Panza’s heart. “I am always hopeful that my donation made their worlds an easier place based on their situation,” says the Caldwell woman. To follow her journey visit Facebook: Ellen Nicolette Panza and Instagram: @nikiusvi. To donate a wedding gown to Angel Gowns, email kiki001103@aol.com.