Saint Francis holding NICU reunion party this weekend

Saint Francis Medical Center has invited former Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit patients and their families to celebrate a decade of operation at its Family Birthplace and during a birthday-themed reunion party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the Fitness Plus parking lot, 150 S. Mount Auburn Road.

The celebration will include food, games, inflatables and the opportunity to catch up with other NICU friends and families. Registration is required by calling 331-5877.

Throughout the month, Family Birthplace and Level III NICU employees will wear special birthday scrubs and all babies born in September will receive a commemorative onesie.

The department's 874 births in 2010 represented a 16 percent increase over the previous record of 752 set in 2009, and an 82 percent increase over the 481 births recorded in 2005. For 2011, the Family Birthplace is on track to again have a record-breaking number of deliveries, said Emily Sikes, hospital spokeswoman.

Pertinent address:

150 S. Mount Auburn Road, Cape Girardeau, MO