Full Breakdown
Utah Family Gives Back to NICU During Holidays
12/26/2025, 8:00:41 PM
McKenzie McCombs' Journey and NICU Tradition
In November 2021, McKenzie McCombs faced a life-threatening battle with COVID-19 complications that led to an emergency delivery of her son, Coleman, at just 28 weeks gestation. Weighing only 2 pounds, 6 ounces, Coleman was born at St. Mark’s Hospital in Millcreek, Utah, while McKenzie was in a coma. After spending nearly three months in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), the McCombs family has since turned their traumatic experience into a tradition of giving back to families who find themselves in similar situations during the holiday season.
Holiday Care Baskets for NICU Families
Four years after Coleman’s birth, McKenzie and her husband, Brycen, have established a yearly tradition of creating and distributing care baskets for families spending the holidays in the NICU. These baskets contain thoughtful items such as chapstick, bath bombs, journals, and voice recorders. The voice recorders allow parents to bond with their babies by recording messages that can be played back when they are unable to visit. McKenzie noted, “On the days that we weren’t able to make it in, they would play the recorder for him, and then they would tell us, like his stats were good, his oxygen stayed up.”
Impact on Families and Hospital Staff
Nurse Rebecca Cobb, who was present during Coleman’s birth, emphasized the significance of the McCombs' gesture, stating, “Being able to hear that voice helps babies bond.” She explained that when parents read to or sing to their babies through the recorders, it fosters recognition and connection. The McCombs’ initiative not only provides comfort to families but also serves as a source of hope. Cobb remarked, “They’re able to see, ‘Hey, that’s going to be my baby in a couple of years. They got through this really scary time, and I’ll be able to do that too.’”
Expanding the Project and Community Engagement
The McCombs family now includes three children: Coleman, his older brother Halston, and nine-month-old sister Finley. They have begun sharing their NICU gift basket project on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok under the handle @NICUHeartsandHands, aiming to expand their outreach and create a supportive community. McKenzie expressed a desire to share the stories of families who receive the baskets, highlighting the emotional impact of their initiative. Brycen reflected on the challenges of spending holidays in the NICU, stating, “It feels incomplete because…the whole family’s not together for Christmas.”
Conclusion
The McCombs family relies on donations to assemble their care baskets, inviting community members to contribute to their cause. Their efforts not only provide practical support to NICU families but also foster a sense of hope and connection during a challenging time.
