These tiny boxing gloves give families of premature babies hope

These blue boxing gloves, a local tradition since 2012 at the intensive care unit, offer hope to parents of premature babies. Photo: TNS

Some traditions are handed down purposefully from one generation to the next. Others, like the one centered on a tiny pair of boxing gloves hanging in the neonatal intensive care unit at Prentice Women’s Hospital begin unexpectedly in a gesture of hope.

That was the case three years ago when Barb Alvarado noticed a couple crying in the reception area of the Chicago hospital, having just received discouraging news about their prematurely born son.