Hospital carnival helps families remember, reconnect - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

When someone you love spends time in the hospital, it can be a cause for concern, but after they're finished with treatment, it's often a cause for celebration.

For the 25th time, St. Luke's Regional Medical Center is holding a party for patients who've stayed at their neonatal intensive care unit.

Many of these children were born premature, but now these families are feeling strong and are thankful to have made it through.

"There were days when you didn't think that you were going to make it," said Jill Bodammer of Sioux City, "That you're like, 'There's no way that I can go home again without my babies,' after day 10, day 20, but then we make it home."

The kids, all healthy and happy, played games and earned tokens and prizes.

Some even got the chance to enjoy a carnival favorite: cotton candy. It was a time of fun and reconnecting that these NICU parents are grateful for.

"It's nice. They become part of your family. You know, they know so much about you and they're just, the staff as a whole is just great," said Jaci Lamere of Sioux City.

That bond is a big reason why families keep coming back year after year to reconnect.

For some, it was a matter of days. For others, it was weeks or even months. More than 200 people were expected to stop by throughout the afternoon.